Why female farmers continue to struggle
Female farmers in the country face significant challenges compared to their male counterparts. Mrs. Bola Ijeoma, chairman of the Edo State Rice Farmers Association, highlighted that women often struggle with land access, training, and inputs. Land is typically allocated to men, forcing women to rent and limiting their expansion. Limited training affects their ability to adapt to climate changes, and household responsibilities further complicate their farming efforts.
Inputs are also problematic, with middlemen diverting resources and high costs for seeds and labor. Security issues, such as theft and pests like birds, add to their difficulties. Mrs. Ijeoma urged the government to provide better support, including access to mechanization and targeted assistance for female farmers, to boost production and overcome these challenges.
Source: DailyTrust
Our Review
The challenges faced by female farmers in Nigeria, as highlighted by Mrs. Bola Ijeoma, underscore the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gender gap in agri-food value chain. Limited access to land, training, and farming inputs significantly hinders women’s productivity and economic growth. Women often have to rent land, which restricts their ability to expand operations, while inadequate training leaves them less equipped to handle climate variability and other farming challenges.
The high cost of inputs and labor further exacerbates the problem, making it difficult for women to compete effectively. Additionally, issues like theft and lack of mechanization access highlight the broader infrastructure and security concerns impacting female farmers.
Addressing these disparities through government support, such as providing access to affordable land, mechanization, targeted training, and financial assistance, could transform the agricultural landscape for women. By improving these conditions, female farmers can enhance their productivity, contribute more significantly to food security, and drive economic growth in their communities.
