As Nigeria celebrates another Independence Day, the nation is reminded of the importance of reform and prosperity. Agriculture and food production were highlighted in the national address as key areas for focus, including increasing production, improving irrigation and mechanisation, and reducing post-harvest losses. These priorities are crucial for the nation's food systems. However, experts argue that a critical dimension deserves greater attention: the role of smallholder women farmers. Their labour, knowledge, and enterprises are vital to Nigeria's agri-food systems.
Women farmers face unique barriers in accessing land, finance, inputs, mechanisation, extension services, markets, storage, and productive infrastructure. A gender-neutral framing of "farmers" can overlook these differences, which matter if national investments are to translate into inclusive and sustainable prosperity. Climate resilience is also a significant concern. Increasing agricultural production must go hand in hand with building climate-resilient food systems. For women farmers, this requires more than climate-smart technologies; it demands accessible climate finance, extension services, and resilient infrastructure.
Nigeria has recognised the importance of a gender-responsive approach through the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation and its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. The policy aims to make the agricultural ecosystem more inclusive and resilient. The focus is not only on increasing food production but also on who produces it, who has access to resources, and who benefits from value addition. The systems around production must be resilient enough to withstand climate and economic shocks.
Experts propose a deliberate pathway from reform to shared prosperity. This pathway includes protecting the harvest, empowering women farmers, and adding value to their produce. It also involves building resilience and ensuring that the systems around production can withstand shocks. The goal is to translate national commitments into tangible investments that reach the last mile, where food security and livelihoods are built every day.
Smallholder women farmers are central to Nigeria's food future. They play a critical role in producing food, but their efforts are often hindered by limited access to resources. To achieve inclusive prosperity, it is essential to address these challenges and provide women farmers with the support they need. This includes investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, providing accessible finance, and promoting value addition.
Chika Jadesola Orji, a policy and development practitioner, stresses the importance of empowering women farmers. As a Food Systems and Post-Harvest Loss Policy Specialist and Climate Resilient Food Systems Advocate, Orji has highlighted the need for a gender-responsive approach to agriculture. She is also a Fellow of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) and the African Transformer Institute (ATI).
As Nigeria looks to the future, the focus on empowering women farmers is likely to continue. With the right investments and support, smallholder women farmers can play an even more critical role in producing food and building a resilient agricultural sector. This, in turn, can contribute to inclusive and sustainable prosperity for the nation. Key initiatives, such as the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation, are already underway to support this goal.
Key points
- Empowering smallholder women farmers is crucial for achieving inclusive prosperity in Nigeria.
- Climate resilience is essential for building sustainable food systems.
- A gender-responsive approach to agriculture can help address the unique challenges faced by women farmers.
