News Investigators/ Small-Holders Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Niger chapter, has urged the state government to empower women and youths in agriculture to boost food security in the country.
The State Coordinator, SWOFON, Grace Disa, made the call in Minna on Thursday at one-day Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on the 2025 agriculture budget.
Mrs Disa said with such support women and youths would use their numerical strength to boost food security, create jobs and improve the income of small holder farmers.
She said there was need for women and youths in agriculture to be given due attention through adequate extension services.
She said they should be properly funded and given access to credit to enable them contribute more to the economy of the state and country in general.
The State Coordinator appealed to government to ensure the urgent release of funds appropriated for the association.
“We are passionately appealing to the state government, all relevant Ministries, MDA’s, office of the Accountant and Auditor General of the state to release money appropriated for us in the 2025 budget.
“This will surely boost our activities, hence, bolster food production and to as well further guarantee food security in the state,” she said.
According to her, one of the key recommendations of the meeting is the provision of budget lines and cash backing within the agriculture budget.
She said this would encourage more women and youths to take farming.
“Provisions for women and youths in agriculture should be prioritised. There should be timely disbursement of these funds, including the subsidised inputs like fertilisers.
“There should be adequate provision for credits and loans for especially small holder women farmers and youths.
“This will greatly boost their output hence, food sufficiency, security and self-employment,’’ she said.
The State Coordinator, however, commended Gov. Umaru Bago for investing heavily in agricultural sector.
She also called on the members of the association to be productive at all times.
Mrs Dasi called for synergy among the women, youths farmers and the relevant institutions adding that it would be in line with the vision of Bago-led administration.
NAN
