Our condition getting worse – Women farmers cry out
by Azubuike Chima
National President, Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), Mary Afan, says the condition of women farmers in the country are deteriorating.
According to her, no thanks to Covid-19 and the unfriendly agricultural policies, adding that there would be food shortage following the consistent neglect of women whom are greatest contributors to what is consumed.
Afan made this disclosure in a Webinar on Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Session on a New Consensus for Smallholder Farmers, organised by Actionaid Nigeria which was monitored by our correspondent.
She said, “From the small scale women farmers, our condition is not getting better. Coming from the impact of Covid-19 of last year. As it is now, we need to start all over again. We have lost our investments, and there is need for support in order to be able to produce more food, to take care of households and definitely to speedy improvement of the agricultural structure to be able to recover all that we have lost.
“Like in my country, there was a review on the budget for agriculture because of the issue of Covid-19. We begged government not to cut the agriculture budget because that is the only sector that can support us out of the impact of this Covid-19.
“Based on that, we were not able to access support from government just as government was sharing food to people to feed during the lock down, we expect to have access to input to be able to produce more food this year. As it is now, we are starting from zero level again to be able to go back to our farms and produce.”
Afan noted that insecurity has overwhelming impact on food security in the country, adding that implement should be made friendly to encourage more women to use it.
“The issue of insecurity, most of our Women cannot go back to farm because of insecurity, As it is now, there is going to actually be food shortage this year because of what we passed through during the Covid-19. When government is planning on formulating policies, we need them to involve us as the major beneficiaries of the policies they are forming but sometimes they plan before we know it is gone and most of the plan they do, it is something that is inaccessible, difficult to access.
“We are also tired of bending down, we need new technologies. Technology that women can operate, technologies that can easily be used within the community, technologies that women can actually operate without any difficulty and before you know it they will be bringing tractors, machineries that when it spoils there will be no spare parts,” She added.
Also speaking, Sarah Yapwa, Chief Executive Officer, Hope Foundation for the Lonely Gombe State, revealed that the security challenges have been a perennial issue, adding that it has negative impact.
She said, “This security challenges we have it and there is a pattern that is been followed. However, farmers know when to farm and herders know when to also go and feed their cattle after harvest but the good relationship is lagging. I’m calling on government to ensure they intervene, the vigilante within the communities should also protect these women when they go to the farm because women are being attacked and a times raped and crops eaten.”
On his part, Azubike Nwokoye, Food and Agriculture Programme Coordinator, ActionAid Nigeria, noted that Covid-19 has brought innovation despite the negative consequences.
“We can deploy our technology for instance Covid-19 has shown we can support women farmers and they will have access to information especially through electronic extension services,” Nwokoye said
