Experts seek better deals, more women participation in agric

In order to enhance agricultural productivity, profitability, and guarantee food security and reduce poverty, as well as creating employment opportunities for women and the youths in the nation’s agro-allied sector, experts in the field for agriculture have canvassed for more female farmers in the country.

 

This, among other issues in the agricultural sector, came to the fore at the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Role Modelling Event in Ilorin recently, where experts in the field of Agriculture strongly requested government to design programme that provides platform for more women participation in agriculture. 

 

Delivering a lead paper at the event,  Oluyemisi Fawole  a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, has canvassed the development of gender specific policies and services that are designed for women within the agricultural value chains.

 

Fawole, who is also the acting head, department of Agronomy, made this submission recently at the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Role Modelling Event, which took place at the Faculty of Agriculture Lecture Theater, Ilorin, Kwara State capital. 

 

Presenting a seminar paper entitled “Advancing Women in Agriculture: Roles of Education and Research,” the renowned Agronomist observed that despite the significant roles and contributions of women in the agricultural sector, Nigerian women are confronted with socio-economic constraints that limit their productivity. 

 

These constraints, according to her, include – limited access to essential elements of farming, resources and credit, information and technology, education and training, among others. 

 

She said, “Women constitute a large portion of the farming population and women’s possibilities in agriculture are hindered by formal and traditional rules. 

 

“Existing evidence from small-scale studies across the continent documents the numerous disadvantages that women face in accessing the same resources, training, markets and opportunities as men. All of these had negative effects on agricultural productivity.” 

 

In order to address these disparities, the 2015 AWARD Fellow then advocated the application of education and gender responsive research to tackle “the barriers that hold back the productivity of female farmers which could enhance gender equality and usher in a broader economic growth. 

 

“Education will make women more equipped and able to compete with men, to take advantage of the better income-earning opportunities, increase the productivity of female farmers and gender responsive research that goes beyond the farming system and examines the entire food value chain is required,” she noted.

 

Earlier in his opening remarks Abdul Ganiyu Ambali, vice-chancellor, University of Ilorin, who was represented by Gabriel Olatunji, deputy vice-chancellor, research, technology and innovation, expressed delight at the substantial number of female academics within the University, saying that the event was put up to show “to the world what women can do and even, do better.” 

 

“The African agricultural sector must increase its responsiveness to the needs and contributions of women, if it is to be effective and sustainable. It is believed that cultivation of high potential African women scientists will prove vital in addressing urgent needs of smallholder farmers and that solutions will be achieved with the full scientific community men and women working together,” he said.