Expert Tasks Anambra Women Farmers on Strategic Advocacy, Policy Influence

By Praise Chinecherem

A Consultant with International Budget Partnership, (IBP), Folahan Johnson has charged members of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria, (SWOFON) in Anambra State to be intentional in their engagement with government for greater results.

Johnson, made the appeal during a 3-day meeting organized by SWOFON, Anambra State Chapter, for members and civil society organizations in Awka, Anambra State.

The meeting which focused on budgeting and development of Charter of Demands, was part of implementation of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Result and Knowledge, SPARK 2 project funded by IBP

Folahan urged SWOFON to strengthen advocacy, expand partnerships, and ensure that members actively engage policymakers to secure meaningful responses to their demands.

“Don’t be discouraged. Keep pushing towards your goal for systems change. We need government to create budget line for smallholder women farmers.

“These farmers are the food producers. Giving them greater attention is one way government can prove its commitment to food security programme.

“Smallholder women farmers constitute 70% of the entire agriculture work force. Empowering them is undoubtedly in the interest of the country,” Johnson said.

On the third day of the meeting, participants developed a new Charter of Demands to be presented to government at all levels, development partners, and key stakeholders.

The women farmers called for inclusive, gender-responsive agricultural policies and programs that guarantee equitable access to resources, enhance productivity, and secure improved livelihoods.

They also pledged their commitment to producing adequate food for Nigeria’s survival.

The women decried systemic barriers limiting their productivity, including restricted access to land, credit facilities, extension services, farm inputs, modern technology, and markets.

According to them, these challenges reduce household incomes and undermine national food security, despite their indispensable contributions to agriculture.

The Charter of Demands, validated by participants at the training, represents the collective voice of smallholder women farmers in Anambra State.

Their key requests include: increased access to single-digit loans and grants from NIRSAL, Bank of Agriculture, SMEDAN, and other financial institutions through public-private partnerships.
• Mechanized Women-Friendly Tools: Support from the Ministry of Agriculture and local fabricators to ease farming drudgery.
• Dedicated Budget Lines: Specific and timely agricultural budget allocations from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Accountant-General, Auditor-General, and the State Assembly.
• Affordable Farm Inputs: Subsidized seeds and seedlings from agricultural research institutes, ADP, and local governments.
• Processing & Storage Facilities: Establishment of community-based processing centers to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Capacity Building: Consistent training on innovations and climate-smart farming techniques from government agencies, NGOs, and research institutes.
• Access to Land: Greater land ownership and control through the Ministry of Lands, traditional rulers, and community leaders.
• Infrastructure Support: Construction of feeder roads to ease transportation of farm produce.
• Security: Collaboration between government, the State Assembly, and community security outfits to protect women on their farmlands.
• Climate Change Action: Intensified sensitization and resilience training from NiMET, ADP, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

A national executive member of SWOFON, Mrs. Chinwe Emuka, praised the impact of the training, describing it as life-changing.
“You have impacted us with knowledge. Farming used to be a struggle, but with what we have learnt, things are improving. This knowledge makes our vocation easier and less strenuous. I appreciate IBP for funding this,” she said.

Encouraging the women, she added: “Do not be discouraged by challenges. Trust in God and apply what you have learnt in these three days.”

SWOFON State Coordinator, Georgina Akunyiba, pledged that members will reach out to relevant stakeholders to ensure their demands reach the appropriate authorities.

Also speaking, Rosemary Onwuegbuka, Coordinator of SWOFON in Anambra East LGA, said the training has empowered her to engage her community leaders effectively.

“I now know how to engage my PG and Woman Leader. We will step down the training to our cooperative members,” she noted.