The Kwara government has called on small-scale women farmers to key into the government’s large-scale farming programmes to enhance food production and boost food security.

The commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Oloruntoyosi Thomas, made the call on Wednesday at the 2024 World Food Day organised by the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE).

The programme, which was organised in conjunction with the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) and the agriculture ministry, had the theme: ”Rights to Food for a better life and better future”.

Thomas, who was represented by Aliyu Abubakar, a director in the ministry, said Nigeria had not achieved food security, “but the government is doing its best to achieve this”.

“But, clearly, the government’s efforts are not enough. We must keep introducing programmes to enhance food security.

”There are lots of programmes that, when keyed into, we can help turn small-scale farming into large-scale farming.

”When our women go into such programmes, we can gradually move towards attaining food security,” the commissioner said.

In a remark, Dr Busari, state coordinator, Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), said the state government had established Agriculture Transformation Centres in four locations to serve as raw material producing centres.

He said the materials produced at the centres would be moved to the Agro-Industrial Hub in Malete for final production.

Mr Busari urged SWOFON members to register at the four designated centres to benefit from the programme.

Khadijat Ahmed, managing director, Kwara Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), while reaffirming ADP’s commitment to food security, said that it had always assisted women farmers through various forms of training.

Ms Ahmed, who was represented by Aliyu Aiyelabegan, said ADP had always helped women with knowledge of modern technologies.

The executive director, CCEPE, Abdurrahman Ayuba, said the essence of the programme was to chart a new path to food security by ensuring accessible and affordable nutritious foods.

While commending the state government for hosting the gathering, he said the right to food is a fundamental one, and its provision should not be compromised.

In her remarks, SWOFON coordinator, Elizabeth Ndako, urged the government to consider all genders in the formulation of agriculture policies.

She called for a good road network to get the farm produce to the market, while erosion should be controlled in Patigi Local Government to encourage irrigation for all-year-round farming.

Titi Ade Salami, a woman farmer, called for timely intervention in the areas of modern farm implements and training for women farmers.

Sikirat Olohunoje, who plants cassava, sorghum and maize, called for a farm village in each local government to help overcome the challenge of farmland.

There was an exhibition of farm produce at the event.

(NAN)