Women farmers lament access to Agric inputs in Gombe
Chima Azubuike
Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria, Gombe State chapter says the failure to get timely access to Agricultural inputs has impeded crop production.
SWOFON stakeholders made this disclosure on Thursday during the presentation of community scorecard on smallholder women farmers access to Agricultural inputs, organised by Hope Foundation for the Lonely with support from Actionaid Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the presentation was held at Hajiya Amina hall, Gombe State.
Speaking, Chairperson of SWOFON, Airudia Mamman, called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry to support members of the organisation with timely distribution of matured seeds, adding that it was key to attaining zero hunger.
She said, “The right time is now. We have started preparing for raining season what is next? We expect seeds, we want mature seeds, we expect that the ministry will support us. It’s not everyone that has the money to buy early matured seeds, that is why we want women to be empowered. When women are empowered it will improve the food production of the state, what we want is to get to zero hunger.”
Also, Programme Officer of HFL, Ballin James, while presenting the 14-page scorecard said smallholder farmers dominate the Agricultural sector, adding that women produce 90 per cent of the out.
“Yet have difficulties accessing Agricultural inputs. Women make up 70 per cent Agricultural labour, 50 per cent Animal husbandry related activities and 60 per cent food processing activities,” James said.
On her part, Chief Executive Officer of HFL, Serah Yapwa, urged participants to scrutinise the scorecard which had contributions from women farmers across the 11 Local Government Areas of the State.
Yapwa said, “Even if it is negative it will keep us to scale up, it will help us to move forward we want to see progress in Agricultural activities in Gombe State.
“We want to see how women farmers will have access to input, without input there is no agriculture this is a beautiful time to look at it.”
On his part, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Dr Ibrahim Yakubu, said input has been a major challenge, adding that the present commissioner has recognised the importance of women farmers.
“With regards to inputs this has been a very serious problem because it can’t get to everybody but the present Commissioner has recognised the importance of women farmers in Gombe State whatever that needs to be distributed SWOFON will come to the access their own from the ministry. Your leadership should be active as to our activities in the ministry so that by the time we commence distribution they will know,” Yakubu added.
He lauded the women farmers for involving the ministry in their activities, while assuring of the ministry’s attempt to reciprocate in its programmes.
