Food Security: Prioritise Agric Value Chain for Economic Development, FG Urges Women
POLITICS DIGEST- The Federal Government has urged the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) to re-strategise their focus by prioritising national interest and agriculture value chains to strengthen food security and economic development of the country.
The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Hajiya Mariya Mahmud, made the call yesterday in Abuja at the Advocacy Forum organised by SWOFON and supported by ActionAid Nigeria.
The event also witnessed the election of new national officers of the organisation with Hajiya Fatima Gumi, from Sokoto State, emerging as the new SWOFON President, taking over from Mrs Mary Afan, who was elected as an ex-officio member of the organisation.
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The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq, stated, “Agriculture is the backbone of our society, providing food, employment, and economic stability. Women have played a pivotal role in this sector throughout history, yet their contributions have often gone unrecognised or undervalued.
“Studies have shown that when women are given the right opportunities and access to resources, agricultural productivity increases significantly. In the FCT, we have seen women working hard in their farms to support their spouses in not only providing the basic needs of their families but to food security and rural development,”
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr Andrew Mamedu, urged the new national SWOFON executives, to maintain their value and prioritize their integrity to be able to be at the forefront of making Nigeria a country of food security and economic development.
Mamedu who was represented by the AAN Local Rights Programme Manager, Mr Kehinde Arowosegbe, said. “I want you to work not for your regions, but to work for the nation and all women farmers in Nigeria and you cannot do this without teamwork,”
Responding, the new SWOFON President, Hajiya Fatima Gumi, assured that the organisation is bigger than individuals and would work for the national interest of Nigeria’s agriculture and economic development.
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