The federal government on Thursday rolled out the distribution of agricultural inputs to around 10,000 smallholder women farmers in North central states and FCT. This is to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance food production in the country.
The inputs distributed are value kits (growth enhancers, planting materials, and agrochemicals) in soybean, rice, potatoes, yam, maize, cassava, ginger, cowpea, sesame, sorghum/millet, and horticultural crops.
During the event held in Abuja, the Minister of agriculture and rural development, Mohammed Nano stated that the Ministry and its research institutions are working to ensure Nigeria is self-sufficient in good quality seed and its availability to farmers to set the foundation for achieving food and nutrition security and industrialization. The minister said there is a policy of 35% of women in all the Ministry’s activities to ensure that in agricultural development is the dedication to women empowerment and gender equality in the agricultural sector.
He said “women are the key to sustainable development and quality of life. “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved. “I have deliberately undertaken initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment of women in line with the targets set in our Economic Sustainability Plan, Agric Gender Policy, National Gender Action Plan (N-GAP) for Agriculture, Agricultural Sector Food Security and Nutrition Strategy Documents aimed at ensuring increased opportunities for women”
The minister stated the effort towards enhancement of rural infrastructures such as boreholes, solar lights, irrigation facilities, markets, rural roads, etc which assist in the enhancement of agricultural performances for farmers and processors to be active in the rural areas.
In his statement, Mustapha Baba, the minister state for agriculture said the federal government plans to collaborate with the private sector to enhance the availability of good seedlings. “The Ministry and its research institutions are working towards making Nigeria self-sufficient in good quality seed and its availability to farmers as a foundation for attaining food and nutrition security as well as industrialization.
He stated further that the ministry provides support for breeder and foundation seeds production and connecting with private seed companies to ensure certified seeds are available to farmers. This with the efforts to enhance rural infrastructure and other value chain supports will add to the achievement of Me President’s desire to allow easy access to quality food and nutrition to Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Desmond Osemhenjie representing the United Nations, UN Women country pledged support for Nigeria women to improve food production and security in the country.
“UN Women has partnered with the federal ministry of Agriculture in terms of cash transfer, rice value chain and we would always collaborate with Nigeria women to ensure growth in the Sector” he mentioned.
