The Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), Bauchi State chapter has urged Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration to provide women with opportunities to go into farming.

In an interview on Saturday, Marka Abass, SWOFON state chairperson, registered the women’s displeasure at gender inequality, saying it is one of the barriers holding women from succeeding in agricultural production.

“Women do not receive the same support as men farmers do; they have less access to land, loans and machinery.

“That is why SWOFON is calling on the government to look into the plight of women far,” Mrs Abass said.

She urged the government to also provide opportunities to adequately empower smallholder farmers, especially women, in agricultural production. 

“They (officials) must ensure women have secure land rights and provide women with vital funding and support for farming and means of adapting to climate change.

“Such support would protect their rights and boost their productivity. It would unleash the potential of many women farmers to effectively reduce poverty and hunger,” she said. 

Mrs Abass said that women farmers played a central role, saying that they produced a huge amount of food for their families and surrounding communities. 

(NAN)