SWOFON members in Anambra State have been urged to be intentional in their engagement with government as they strive for greater government attention to their demands.
A Consultant with International Budget Partnership, (IBP), Folahan Johnson, made the appeal during a 3-day meeting organized by Small Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria, (SWOFON) Anambra State Chapter, for members and civil society organizations in Awka, Anambra State.
The meeting was part of implementation of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Result and Knowledge, SPARK 2 project funded by IBP
Folahan urged SWOFON to strengthen advocacy, expand partnerships, and ensure active engagement with policymakers for meaningful responses to their demands.
“Don’t be discouraged. Keep pushing towards your goal for systems change. We need government to create budget line for smallholder women farmers.
“These farmers are the food producers. Giving them greater attention is one way government can prove its commitment to food security programme.
“Smallholder women farmers constitute 70% of the entire agriculture work force. Empowering them is undoubtedly in the interest of the country,” Johnson said.
Charter of demands developed
Participants developed a new Charter of Demands to be presented to government at all levels, development partners, and key stakeholders.
The women farmers called for inclusive, gender-responsive agricultural policies and programs that guarantee equitable access to resources, enhance productivity, and secure improved livelihoods.
They also pledged their commitment to producing adequate food for Nigeria’s survival.
The women decried systemic barriers including restricted access to land, credit facilities, extension services, farm inputs, modern technology, and markets.
According to them, these challenges reduce household incomes and undermine national food security, despite their indispensable contributions to agriculture.
Farmers requests
Their key requests include: increased access to single-digit loans and grants from NIRSAL, Bank of Agriculture, SMEDAN, and other financial institutions through public-private partnerships.
They request for mechanized women-friendly tools from the Ministry of Agriculture and local fabricators to ease farming drudgery.
They also called for dedicated budget line for smallholder women farmers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Accountant-General, Auditor-General, and the State Assembly.
The women also ask for affordable farm inputs – subsidized seeds and seedlings from agricultural research institutes, ADP, and local governments.
The women also demand processing and storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and capacity building for them on innovations and climate-smart farming techniques from government agencies, NGOs, and research institutes.
They call for greater land ownership and control through the Ministry of Lands, traditional rulers, and community leaders as well as construction of feeder roads to ease transportation of farm produce.
“Security: Collaboration between government, the State Assembly, and community security outfits to protect women on their farmlands.
“Climate Change Action: Intensified sensitization and resilience training from NiMET, ADP, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Women farmers speak out
A national executive member of SWOFON, Mrs. Chinwe Emuka, praised the impact of the training, describing it as life-changing.
“You have impacted us with knowledge. Farming used to be a struggle, but with what we have learnt, things are improving. This knowledge makes our vocation easier and less strenuous. I appreciate IBP for funding this,” she said.
Encouraging the women, she added: “Do not be discouraged by challenges. Trust in God and apply what you have learnt in these three days.”
SWOFON Coordinator, Georgina Akunyiba, pledged that members will reach out to relevant stakeholders to ensure their demands reach appropriate authorities.
Rosemary Onwuegbuka, Coordinator of SWOFON in Anambra East LGA, said she has been empowered to engage her community leaders effectively.
“I now know how to engage my PG and Woman Leader. We will step down the training to our cooperative members,” she noted.
