Women crop farmers and pastoralists in Benue State are actively challenging socio-economic barriers to improve their livelihoods, as they unite in pursuit of better opportunities for income generation.
Vera Aondohemba, a groundnut farmer from Ikpam village in Makurdi, highlights the struggles female farmers face due to restrictive marital traditions. “Securing farmland depends on my husband’s approval, and even after I cultivate, the earnings go into household needs like school fees. Meanwhile, I still work on his farm, but I don’t share in the proceeds,” she explains.
Mnena Igbah, a rice and yam farmer from Abinsi community, faces similar constraints. She notes that even after farming, women must seek permission from their husbands to sell produce, with little control over the proceeds. Limited access to farming inputs such as chemicals further compounds their struggles.
Female pastoralists, including Harila Umaru and Hawa Hassan, are also grappling with declining milk production from cattle, prompting them to seek alternative sources of income.
These issues came to the fore during a workshop organized by GoGreen Environmental Health and Sustainability Initiatives in Makurdi as part of International Women’s Day celebrations. The event aimed to empower women farmers with knowledge on rights, sustainability, and economic inclusion.
According to stakeholders at the workshop, addressing land inheritance barriers, improving access to agricultural inputs, and promoting women’s inclusion in decision-making are critical to unlocking the economic potential of female farmers.
Magdalen Andoor, Director of Women Affairs at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of gender equity in agriculture while urging women to assert themselves in economic and social spheres. Meanwhile, GoGreen’s CEO, Ameh Jackson, reiterated his organization’s commitment to fostering peace between livestock and crop farmers while promoting economic sustainability for women in agriculture. Source- Daily Trust
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The plight of female farmers in Benue reflects a broader challenge across Nigeria’s agricultural sector—gender disparities in land ownership, decision-making, and financial control. Addressing these barriers requires both community engagement and institutional reforms.
Land Rights and Access to Resources
Women’s limited control over farmland affects productivity and economic independence. Policies should support legal frameworks that enable women to own or lease land independently.
Agricultural Financing and Input Support
Access to credit, fertilizers, and mechanized tools would enhance productivity. Government and private sector collaborations can develop gender-inclusive financing schemes.
Market Access and Economic Empowerment
Ensuring women have control over the sale of their produce is essential. Cooperative models and women-led agribusiness groups can strengthen their bargaining power.
Value Chain Inclusion for Pastoralists
As milk production declines, female pastoralists require alternative income sources. Investing in value-added dairy products or integrating them into agribusiness supply chains could be a sustainable solution.
Benue’s case underscores the urgent need for structured interventions to bridge gender disparities in agriculture. Policy actions, capacity building, and community sensitization will be crucial in ensuring that women farmers and pastoralists move from subsistence farming to sustainable agribusiness.
