New gender policy on agriculture to prioritise women, youths, PWDs — FG

The Federal Government has said that inclusivity of women, youths, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) will form the foundation of its new National Gender Policy on Agriculture and Strategic Plan of Action (2025–2030).

Director of Special Duties at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Kachallah Damaturu, stated this at the South-East Zonal Consultative Forum on the policy review, held in Enugu at the weekend.

She explained that the forum was designed to give women, youths, and PWDs a voice in shaping the policy and to ensure their specific needs are reflected in the national plan of action for agriculture.

“Agriculture works best when there is inclusivity,” Damaturu said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown great interest in agriculture, especially in issues affecting women.

During the Ministry of Women Affairs programme on October 15, 2024, he emphasized that women’s empowerment in agriculture must be prioritized, particularly in training, access to land, and financial services.”

Also speaking, Food and Agriculture Advisor at ActionAid, Blessing Akhile, noted that the review process would promote equity, productivity, and resilience across Nigeria’s agricultural system.

“When everybody is carried along, it leads to poverty reduction, food security, and a resilient food system,” Akhile said. He commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and other partners for supporting the consultation process.

Programme Officer of AGRA in Nigeria, Dr. Esther Ibrahim, stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of Africa’s economy and employs millions, most of them women and youths.

She said AGRA has been working systematically to remove barriers facing women and youth farmers.

“We are here to support the ministry and its partners to strengthen inclusivity in agriculture,” Ibrahim said.

Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr. Patrick Ubru, disclosed that the state has made it mandatory for women and youths to constitute 70 per cent of participants in all its agricultural programmes.

He praised Governor Peter Mbah, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and their partners for supporting agricultural development in the state, boosting food production, creating jobs, and prioritizing inclusivity.

Source: Guardian Nigeria | Read Full Story…