Federal Government and Stakeholders in the Agriculture sector have called for support in the implementation of gender policy most especially at the State level to bridge gender gap, empower women as well as enhance food and nutrition security.
The Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, represented by Director Human Resources Management, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade made this call at the National Gender Policy in Agriculture Forum Jointly Organized by the Steering Committee for the Implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture, held at Hawthorne Suites, in Abuja recently.
He noted that the thrust of the workshop hinged on charting a roadmap in terms of wider synergy for the implementation of the policy, adding that the partnership witnessed was a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment towards engendering the agricultural sector.
He recalled that the Policy was developed along with its legal frameworks and was in line with the provision of the National Gender Policy by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Protocols and Treaties signed by the Federal Government on gender mainstreaming and women empowerment, noting that it is inclusive of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The Minister pointed out that the National Gender Policy in Agriculture was consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that addresses eradicating poverty (SDG-1), ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and sustainable agriculture (SDG-2), ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages and enhance empowerment of women and girls (SDG-5) amongst others.
Speaking further, he revealed that the Ministry is highly committed to the socio-economic empowerment of women and men in the sector, hence gender parity is a prerequisite for eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable human development.
He, therefore, stressed that Agriculture remains fundamental to economic growth, poverty environmental sustainability which was in line with the diversification of the economy in accordance with the present Administration Renewed Hope Agenda of Inclusivity.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, fnin, represented by Director Special Duties, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe stated that the occasion signaled yet another giant stride and commitment of the Ministry towards mainstreaming gender in the Agricultural sector for improved food security.
He pointed out that the policy document would provide a policy direction that underscores the fact that accounting for the different roles and access to input by women and men in agriculture was a necessary condition to progressively realize the SDGs.
Mr. Fashedemi added that Gender Policy in Agriculture was expected to drastically reduce the vulnerability of women and biases in Agriculture, noting that women make up about 50% of Nigeria’s population.
In his good will message, the Chairman House Committee on Agricultural production and Services, Hon. Bello Kaoje, represented by Hon. Ahmed Sabi stated that the primary goal of any policy was enhancement of food security and livelihood, which in turn would accelerate development of the country.
He added that the implementation of the policy was expected to contribute to achieving gender based reforms and further increase productivity among men and women in the Agricultural sector.
Highlight of the event was the interactive session by the Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan with Women farmers and Head Gender, FMAFS, Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu; Plenary discussions with participants, presentations and adoption of Communique.
Participants were drawn from Ministry of Women Affairs, Actionaid, Development Research Projects Center, DRPC, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA, Plan International, Sahel Consulting amongst others.
Eremah Anthonia (Mrs.)
Chief Information Officer
For: Director, Information
