Farmer Omolara Svensson is the Special Assistant on Women and Youth for Agricultural Innovation to the Minister of State For Agriculture and Food Security. In this interview with BLESSING OKOLA, she laments that despite significant progress in recent years, women continue to face numerous challenges that hinder their economic empowerment and independence…Excerpts.
What’s the current administration’s approach to ensuring food security and sustainability, particularly as it regards women and youth inclusion in agriculture?
This administration has taken a significant step in the right direction by declaring food insecurity a major issue. Since the president’s declaration, there’s been a notable shift in attention towards agriculture. Everyone is now interested in agri-desk, and we’re seeing a surge in proposals and investments in the sector.
In the past, it was challenging to get financial institutions and investors interested in agriculture. However, with the president’s announcement, the narrative has changed. We’re seeing increased participation from women, youth, and even the elderly in agriculture. People are now proud to refer to themselves as farmers, and we’re working to make agriculture more attractive and profitable.
We’re shifting the focus from agriculture as just farming to agribusiness. This way, people understand that agriculture is not just about feeding themselves, but also about earning a decent living. We’re working to create awareness about the enormous wealth in agriculture and making it sexy and attractive to young people.
We’re committed to increasing the participation of women and youth in agriculture. We’re providing opportunities for them to contribute to the sector and benefit from it. With the right support and resources, we believe that women and youth can play a significant role in driving the country’s agricultural growth and food security.
Overall, we’re optimistic about the future of the country’s agriculture, and we’re working hard to ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the sector.
What initiatives have been made to promote women’s involvement in agriculture?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has taken several initiatives to promote women’s involvement in agriculture. One of the key initiatives is empowering farmers directly by working with NGOs like NWAPD, which are genuine farmers’ organisations.
The Ministry also requests accountability for all inputs provided to farmers. Additionally, the Ministry is revamping the cooperative sector, which has been successful in the past. The Honourable Minister of State is leading the restructuring and revamping of the cooperative sector, which is expected to improve farmers’ productivity and food sustainability.
These initiatives have had a positive impact on food security in Nigeria. For example, the prices of food have come down compared to last year’s. A basket of 12 yams that cost ₦7,000 to ₦8,000 last year is now more affordable. The Ministry’s initiatives are aimed at increasing food availability and reducing prices.
Regarding insecurity in farming, while it’s a challenge, it’s not unique to Nigeria. Many countries face similar issues. Despite the insecurity, many Nigerians, including women, are still farming and contributing to the country’s food security. The key is to focus on the positives and not blow the problem out of proportion. With the right support and security measures, farming can thrive, and food prices can be reduced.
What strategies is the Ministry putting in place to address food insecurity in the country?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has implemented several strategies to address food insecurity in Nigeria. These include: Mechanisation; training and empowerment; sovereign agri-trade system; agricultural bank; foreign partnerships, among others
The president has commissioned the use of tractors to increase agricultural productivity, while the Ministry provides trainings and empowerment programs for farmers, the Ministry, in partnership with NWAPD, has launched a sovereign agri-trade system that allows farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers without middlemen.
The NWAPD Group has an agricultural bank that provides transaction facilities, cooperative lending, and other financial services to farmers.
The Ministry is also working with foreign agencies to provide inputs and financial inclusion for farmers, especially women and youth.
Women play a crucial role in the Ministry’s efforts to address food insecurity. The Ministry’s programmes are designed to support women farmers, and women are actively involved in the implementation of these programmes. The Ministry’s initiatives aim to increase women’s access to resources, training, and markets, enabling them to contribute more effectively to food security in Nigeria.
The Ministry is working with other relevant Ministries, such as Livestock, Water Resources, Youth, Women, and Education, to achieve desired results. There have been several inter-ministerial meetings and projects ongoing to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing food insecurity.
What will you say about women’s representation in Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ)?
Women are well-represented in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative. For example, in Kwara state, women are part of the committee, and our state coordinator is actively involved. Women play a crucial role in agriculture, and it’s impossible to imagine agriculture without them. In fact, a significant proportion of processed commodities and SMEs are owned or run by women.
Women are fully engaged in the SAPZ initiative, and their participation is essential to its success. The SAPZ initiative recognises the importance of women’s contributions to agriculture and ensures that they are actively involved in the programme. With women playing a vital role in agriculture, it’s only fitting that they are well-represented in the SAPZ initiative.
What is being done to empower women farmers to take on leadership roles?
To empower women farmers to take on leadership roles, it’s essential to sensitise and encourage them to be proactive and take charge. Women need to be bold and audacious in demanding leadership roles and contributing to decision-making processes.
Educate women on the importance of leadership and decision-making roles, encourage women to take initiative and be proactive in pursuing leadership opportunities and encourage women to be politically active and participate in decision-making processes to shape policies and laws that affect their lives.
Women should not wait for opportunities to be given to them; instead, they should take the initiative to demand leadership roles and make their presence known. By doing so, women can contribute to shaping policies and laws that impact their lives and communities.
Why do women need representation and why can’t they just contest like the male counterpart?
Women’s representation in leadership roles is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, men have had centuries to develop their leadership skills, and it’s unfair to judge women’s leadership abilities based on a few examples. Secondly, societal norms and expectations have limited women’s ambitions and opportunities. Women need sensitization and reorientation to understand their roles in decision-making and active politics.
Sensitisation is necessary to challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Women need to be encouraged to pursue leadership roles and be part of decision-making processes. This can be achieved through education and awareness programmes that promote women’s empowerment and leadership.
Women’s participation in decision-making is essential for shaping policies and laws that affect their lives and communities. Women should be groomed for leadership roles and encouraged to take an active part in politics. With the help of technology, women can balance their family and professional responsibilities while contributing to decision-making processes.
Empowering women requires a shift in societal attitudes and expectations. Women, especially young women, need to be encouraged to take on leadership roles and participate in decision-making processes. By doing so, they can contribute to shaping policies and laws that affect their lives and communities.
What would you say about women supporting women?
Women’s lack of support for other women is often cited as a challenge. However, this narrative can be changed by recognising that men also have their own dynamics and rivalries. In fact, men can be just as competitive and unsupportive of each other as women can be.
The key to success lies in women’s unity and numbers. By coming together and supporting one another, women can achieve their goals and create positive change. It’s essential to put aside personal differences and work towards a common goal.
Again, sensitisation is crucial in empowering women to support one another. By educating women on the importance of unity and collective action, we can create a more supportive and inclusive community. Women need to understand that their strength lies in their ability to work together and advocate for their rights.
The narrative that women don’t support women is often used to undermine women’s progress. However, this narrative can be challenged by highlighting the many examples of women who do support and empower each other. By celebrating these successes and promoting positive role models, we can create a more supportive and inclusive environment for women.
What role do you see technology playing in supporting women farmers in Nigeria and how can it be leveraged to improve their productivity?
Technology plays a vital role in supporting women farmers in Nigeria. It bridges the gap between farmers and middlemen, enabling farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers. Technology also increases productivity by providing access to modern farming techniques, tools, and equipment.
The benefits of technology in agriculture can not be over emphasised as it include increased efficiency to enables farmers to cultivate and harvest larger areas of land more efficiently, improved market access by providing farmers with direct access to markets, reducing the role of middlemen and increasing profits, and enhanced productivity technology helps farmers to optimise their farming practices, leading to increased yields and better quality produce.
In today’s fast-paced world, technology is essential for achieving food sustainability and security. By leveraging technology, women farmers in Nigeria can improve their productivity, increase their incomes, and contribute to the country’s food security.
What opportunities exist for women in agriculture in Nigeria? And how can they be supported and empowered to take advantage of such opportunities?
The opportunities for women in agriculture in Nigeria are vast and endless. Agriculture is a sector that offers immense potential for wealth creation and sustainable income. With the right mindset and support, women can take advantage of these opportunities and build successful careers in agriculture. To empower women in agriculture, it’s essential to provide them with the necessary support and resources.
These include: Educating women on modern farming techniques, climate change, and adaptation strategies; providing women with access to land, finance, and technology to enable them to build successful agricultural businesses; sensitising women to the opportunities and challenges in agriculture, and encouraging them to take an active role in the sector, because agriculture is a sector that offers immense potential for wealth creation and sustainable income. With the right support and resources, women can build successful careers in agriculture and contribute to the country’s food security and economic development.
Climate change is a global issue that affects agriculture. To adapt to climate change, women farmers need to be educated on alternative solutions to mitigate its impacts. The government and other stakeholders are working to provide support and resources to help women farmers adapt to climate change.
How has the sovereign agri-trade system impacted on women’s involvement in agriculture and what specific benefit has it brought to them?
The Sovereign Agri-Trade System (SAS) has had a significant impact on women’s involvement in agriculture. SAS provides several benefits like access to financial services; enabling women farmers to access capital and resources; enabling direct access to local and international markets; eliminating middlemen and increasing profits, real-time payment systems; ensuring timely and secure transactions and it also offers digital platform that tracks the entire production process, in addition to providing transparency and accountability.
SAS has been well-received by women farmers, who are excited about the opportunities it provides. The system addresses several challenges that women farmers face, including limited access to finance, markets, and technology. By providing a platform for women farmers to access markets, finance, and technology, SAS is empowering them to take control of their agricultural businesses and improve their livelihoods.
What advocacy are you putting in place in changing Mindset and supporting women in agriculture?
Changing the mindset of people, especially women, to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture requires continuous sensitisation and education. By sharing experiences and success stories, we can inspire and empower women to participate in agriculture.
The president’s declaration of food insecurity as a national issue has led to increased attention and support for the agricultural sector. Banks have established agricultural desks, and grants are being made available to support farmers, including women.
Limited access to land, credit, and technology hinders women’s productivity in agriculture. There is a need for orientation and sensitisation to change traditional attitudes towards women’s land ownership and access to resources. The Ministry and NGOs are working together to train and sensitise women on their rights and empower them to take control of their agricultural activities.
So, what support system or policies would you recommend to empower women in agriculture and make the sector more attractive to them?
The Ministry is on the right path, and with continued efforts, significant progress is expected in the agriculture sector. By supporting women and youth, and restructuring the cooperative sector, the Ministry is making agriculture more attractive and empowering for women
We have continued to prioritise women and youth in agricultural development programmes by strengthening cooperative societies to provide support and resources to women farmers, effectively implementing policies and programmes that promote women’s participation in agriculture.
Are there any international partnerships or initiatives that the Ministry is leveraging on to benefit women?
There are several international agencies, such as GIZ, EFDP, and IFAR that are collaborating with the government on agricultural development programmes. These partnerships are expected to bring about positive change in the sector. A programme on food sustainability is currently on-going, featuring participation from various foreign agencies. This initiative is a step in the right direction towards achieving food security.
I’m optimism that with the ongoing policies and projects, there is optimism that the administration will make significant progress in improving food affordability and availability in the markets.
What are the Ministry’s plans for the next year to further promote women’s participation in agriculture and what targets have been set for that?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is working to promote women’s participation in agriculture, but specific plans for next year haven’t been finalised yet. They’re currently focused on meeting this year’s targets, which are proving challenging. However, the ministry is committed to supporting women in agriculture, particularly through initiatives like empowerment Programs which aims to empower women farmers through strategic policy frameworks that transform agriculture into a tech-enabled, youth- and women-driven sector.
They’re also working to provide women farmers with access to resources, including finance, technology, and markets, to boost their productivity and contributions to food security. The ministry is collaborating with international organisations, NGOs, and private sector partners to support women in agriculture, such as the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD) and the United Nations.
Also, The National Gender Policy on Agriculture is being reviewed to promote sustainable agricultural practices, empower farmers, and enhance food security, with a focus on addressing the unique challenges faced by rural women farmers. While specific targets for next year aren’t available yet, the ministry’s commitment to supporting women in agriculture is evident in their ongoing efforts.
What’s your advice for women?
Empowering women to take leadership roles, it’s essential; women should see themselves in each other and support one another, rather than competing or being envious.
Women are natural leaders in their homes, managing resources and making decisions. They should recognise their leadership potential and take it to the next level and they should be part of active politics to contribute to decision-making and shape policies that affect their lives.
It’s time for women to unlearn traditional roles and expectations and recognise their potential beyond domestic duties; they should take action and demonstrate their capabilities, rather than just talking about it.
Women’s unity and togetherness are crucial in shaping laws and policies that promote fairness and equality. By working together, women can create a better future for themselves and future generations.