Inadequate access to farmland stifles productivity of women farmers — Organisation
The Project Manager of Whitegreen Development Services, Mr Jaye Yekini, has said that women farmers have poor access to farmland inspite of their contributions to food production.
He told newsmen in Ibadan, that this inadequate access continues to undermine their productivity in Nigeria,
According to him, women farmers are most vulnerable to rural insecurity and restrictive land-tenure practices, which has made it increasingly difficult for them to sustain their farming.
“Women are very vulnerable when it comes to insecurity; Many of them farm on less than two hectares of land and do not have the financial capacity to provide security, so they depend largely on what the government provides,” he said.
Yekini said that these threats had affected their economic activities and livelihoods in rural communities, where farming remains their major source of income.
According to him, the land-tenure system has restricted the contribution of women to food security, as many are not financially empowered to outrightly buy land.
He consequently, urged the government and stakeholders to intervene by making farmland more accessible to women.
“Government should lease out land, aggregate women farmers, and provide the necessary inputs.
“After harvest, the proceeds can be calculated, and the government can deduct its service charge; this will go a long way in empowering women farmers,” he said.
Yekini also dismissed claims that small holder women farmers contribute little to the agricultural sector, adding that they form the backbone of food production in many communities.
“Small holder farmers, especially women, contribute at least 50 to 70 per cent of the food we consume in Nigeria; Many of them cultivate vegetables and food crops, and they are active across the entire agricultural value chain,” he said.
He noted that women participate in land preparation, planting, weeding and several post-harvest activities such as peeling, drying, threshing and processing.
According to him, empowering small holder women farmers will significantly boost national food production.
Speaking on the activities of Whitegreen Development Services, he said that the organisation provides mechanisation services to farmers in Oyo State.
“We train farmers on record-keeping, the right fertiliser to apply, the appropriate chemicals and correct dosage, and the proper timing for weeding and other operations,” he said.
He called for stronger partnerships with the government to expand the reach of such services.
