The Federal Government has called for greater efforts to encourage young women and girls to embrace agriculture as a profession, business, source of innovation and pathway to leadership.
The government made the call on Tuesday, through its International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP).
This was at the commemoration of the 2026 International Year of Women Farmers in Awka.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Anambra Ministry of Agriculture, had the theme, “Investing in Women Agrifood Systems and Securing the Future for Resilience.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Year of Women Farmers is commemorated to spotlight the significant roles women play in driving food security, nutrition and economic resilience.
The IFAD-VCDP Anambra Coordinator, Dr Deborah Onyefulu, said agriculture could be modern, profitable, scientific and technologically driven, stressing that women must be at the centre of the transformation.
“Agriculture can be modern, profitable, scientific and technologically driven and women must be at the centre of that transformation.
“Supporting women farmers is not a favour; it is an investment in development, food security, stronger families, stronger communities and stronger nations,” she said.
The coordinator said the programme had more than 13,000 farmers across nine participating Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, comprising women, men and youths.
She listed the LGAs as Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North, Orumba South, Orumba North, Ihiala, Ogbaru and Aguata.
Onyefulu said the celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the strength, resilience, knowledge and contributions of women farmers to families, communities, the economy and national food security.
She noted that women played critical roles in agriculture, including cultivation, planting, harvesting, processing, preservation, marketing and provision of food for their families.
She, however, said in spite of their contributions, many women farmers still faced barriers in accessing land, finance, modern technology, agricultural inputs, markets, training and decision-making opportunities.
“When a woman farmer has access to land, she has a stronger foundation on which to build a future.
“When she has access to affordable finance and the right technology, her productivity increases, while access to markets and fair prices translates her hard work into sustainable income,” she said.
Onyefulu also called for greater access to land, finance, modern technology, agricultural inputs and markets for women farmers to boost agricultural productivity and food security.
She stressed the need to involve women in agricultural policy formulation and decision-making, saying their inclusion would make the agricultural system stronger and more responsive to community needs.
The coordinator welcomed participants to the celebration and expressed optimism that the event would inspire greater support and opportunities for women farmers in the state and beyond.
Also, the Anambra Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ben Chuks Odoemelam, described women as “the wealth of the nation.”
Odoemelam said the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo recognised the important role of women farmers.
According to him, the governor is investing in agriculture to address challenges relating to access to land, finance and climate change.
“Do not be discouraged. The government will continue to support you as you drive food security and healthy food in the state,” he said.
Mrs Esther Onyekesi, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, urged women to participate in agriculture irrespective of their career paths to become independent and self-reliant.
She said their participation would contribute to the growth and wellbeing of their families, communities and the nation.
Speaking on behalf of the VCDP Women Farmers Network, Mrs Uju Nwankwo said agriculture was not just a job, but a source of livelihood and a means of securing the future of children.
Nwankwo appreciated IFAD-VCDP and the state government for their support to women farmers in the state.
“We get support in the form of entrepreneurship training, farm inputs, access to land and loans from Agric Bank and other financial institutions.
“Many of us have also diversified into the production of agro-products.
‘’We are encouraged to stay committed to ensuring food security in our families, communities and the nation at large,” she said.
The event featured an exhibition of agricultural produce and products, as well as the presentation of awards to outstanding female farmers in the state.(NAN)
