ibironkeeniola 
For Nigeria to sustain its agricultural value chains and boost the food security goal of the current administration, there is a need to engender more active women participation in agriculture.
This was the position of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Sabo Nanono when he received a delegation of the Nigeria Women Agro-Allied Farmers Association (NIWAAFA) led by Mrs. Lizzy Igbine, in Abuja.
According to Nanono, women are the leading emergence in Nigeria’s agro-industry with a wealth of depth in agro-processing, milling of groundnut, cassava and the likes; acknowledging that they have so far contributed their quota to the development of the nation’s economy.
The Minister expressed concerns about the various challenges daunting women farmers in the country, stressing that for the women, it has been a herculean task in obtaining finances to boost their agribusinesses.
He, however, reiterated the commitment of the ministry in linking women farmers to donor agencies that would assist in providing loans to incure farming implements.
While calling on NIWAAFA to be more inclusive in the integration of more rural and urban women, the minister encouraged the group to troop in more vocal women into their ranks “so that they will politically, economically and socially be recognized in the country.’’
Nanono further revealed that the Federal Government has set up five milk processing factories across the country, targeted at upheaving the efforts of Fulani women in the North to supply at least 30 thousand liters of milk daily.
On her part, Lizzy Igbine pleaded with the minister to extend adequate support to the association and see to the establishment of a modern farmers’ market in Abuja, precisely in Gworza market.
She further requested that the ministry sets up women farmers’ training centers across the federation to build their capacity and spur more women to venture in agriculture.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA