The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has called on the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to take decisive action in tackling the growing insecurity that threatens farmers’ access to farmlands.
The group said addressing security challenges would enable farmers to safely reach production areas, boost agricultural output, and improve rural livelihoods.
The appeal was made during the presentation of SWOFON’s “Charter of Demands of Smallholder Women Farmers in the FCT” at a State-Level Interactive Forum held in Abuja to mark the 2025 World Food Day.
The event was organised by ActionAid in collaboration with SWOFON.
FCT SWOFON Coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Sunday, said that enhancing farmers’ safety would not only raise productivity but also support sustainable development and economic stability.
She stressed that empowering smallholder women farmers is vital for ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and advancing gender equality in the agricultural sector.
Sunday noted that women contribute significantly to food production nationwide but continue to face challenges in accessing land, agricultural inputs, financing, technology, markets, and extension services.
“These barriers reduce productivity, limit income, and weaken the nation’s food system,” she said.
According to her, the charter embodies the collective voice of smallholder women farmers and advocates for inclusive, gender-responsive agricultural policies that promote equal access to opportunities and resources.
She urged the government to increase public investment in agriculture, ensure transparent and timely budgeting, and make credit facilities more accessible to farmers.
Sunday also called on FCT departments and area councils to fully implement the National Gender Policy in Agriculture, while prioritising market access, infrastructure development, and capacity building for agricultural extension workers.
She further recommended investment in post-harvest innovations such as processing centres, storage facilities, and better market linkages to reduce food losses and enhance farmers’ income.
SWOFON appealed for stronger land tenure protection for women by granting cooperative groups access to fertile land and safeguarding them from displacement and land grabbing.
The organisation also called for the recruitment of more agricultural extension agents and training in Climate-Resilient Sustainable Agriculture (CRSA) to promote innovation and adaptation to climate change.
It further urged the government to rehabilitate rural roads, provide clean water, and improve transport systems to help farmers move their produce more efficiently.
Sunday said the charter would guide ongoing policy advocacy efforts aimed at making agriculture more inclusive, sustainable, and beneficial for women. She expressed confidence that its implementation would transform rural communities, improve food supply, and empower women farmers across the FCT.