The Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON) has urged the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to prioritise the needs of smallholder women farmers to boost productivity and ensure food security.
Former SWOFON President, Mrs. Mary Afan, made the appeal during an interview in Abuja, stressing that despite their critical role in food production, women farmers still face barriers to land ownership, credit, mechanisation, and extension services.
"Women are the ones putting food on tables across the country," Afan said. "Yet, due to cultural practices, many can't own land and cultivate only 0–2 hectares."
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She called on NADF to directly include women in all support programmes and to provide simple tools like power tillers and hand planters.
Afan further recommended creating direct access channels for women farmers instead of routing support through banks, which often poses barriers.
"With over two million grassroots members under cooperatives, SWOFON is ready to partner with NADF to achieve food security goals," she said.
NADF, a Federal Government initiative, was created to fund agricultural projects and support sustainable food systems across Nigeria.
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