FG, IFAD Push Major Investment in Women Farmers to Strengthen Food Security

By Praise Chinecherem

The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP) have made a strong case for increased investment in women farmers, declaring that empowering them is critical to food security, economic development and resilient communities.

The Anambra State Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Deborah Onyefulu, made the call on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2026 International Year of Women Farmers in Awka.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture, had as its theme: “Investing in Women Agrifood Systems and Securing the Future for Resilience.”

Onyefulu said supporting women farmers should no longer be seen as a gesture of goodwill but as a strategic investment in national development.

“Supporting women farmers is not a favour; it is an investment in development, food security, stronger families, stronger communities and stronger nations,” she said.

She called for improved access to land, affordable finance, modern technology, agricultural inputs, markets, training and decision-making opportunities, noting that these were essential to increasing women’s productivity and strengthening food systems.

According to her, women remain central to virtually every stage of the agricultural value chain, from cultivation and planting to harvesting, processing, preservation and marketing, while also playing a major role in providing food for their families.

“When a woman farmer has access to land, she has a stronger foundation on which to build a future,” Onyefulu said.

“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.”

The coordinator disclosed that the IFAD-VCDP currently has more than 13,000 farmers across nine participating Local Government Areas of Anambra State, comprising women, men and young people.

The benefiting LGAs are 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 resilience, knowledge and immense contributions of women farmers to households, communities, the economy and national food security.

She also stressed the importance of involving women in agricultural policymaking and decision-making, arguing that their inclusion would make the agricultural system more responsive to the realities and needs of farming communities.

The IFAD-VCDP coordinator further urged stakeholders to encourage more young women and girls to see agriculture beyond traditional farming.

“Agriculture can be modern, profitable, scientific and technologically driven, and women must be at the centre of that transformation,” she said.

Also speaking, the Anambra State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ben Chuks Odoemelam, described women as “the wealth of the nation.”

He said the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo recognised the strategic role of women in agriculture and was making investments aimed at addressing challenges associated with 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,” Odoemelam assured the farmers.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, urged women, regardless of their professional backgrounds, to participate actively in agriculture as a pathway to economic independence and self-reliance.

She said greater participation by women in agriculture would improve the wellbeing of families and contribute significantly to community and national development.

Speaking on behalf of the VCDP Women Farmers Network, Mrs Uju Nwankwo described agriculture as more than a profession.

“Agriculture is not just a job; it is our source of livelihood and a means of securing the future of our children,” she said.

Nwankwo commended IFAD-VCDP and the Anambra State Government for their support to women farmers.

According to her, members of the network had benefited from 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,” she said. “We are encouraged to remain committed to ensuring food security in our families, communities and the nation at large.”

The event featured exhibitions of agricultural produce and value-added products, alongside the presentation of awards to outstanding female farmers in the state.