International Rural Women’s Day: Kwara First Lady Commends Women Farmers

Wife of the Kwara State Governor Mrs. Olufolake Ajike Abdulrazaq has commended the effort of women farmers in production of food and value chain development of the agricultural section in the State.

Mrs. Abdulrazaq made this commendation while presenting a key note address at an event organized by Small Scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON), Kwara State Chapter, to commemorate this year International Rural Women’s Day in collaboration with Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) and Action aid Nigeria respectively with the themes “Rural Women and Girls Building Climate Resilience” and Healthy diets to build zero hunger world.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina noted that the themes of the event is in line with the objectives of the sustainable Development Goals which the present government is vigorously pursue.

He also expressed displeasure on the neglect of the women farmers by the previous administrations in the state.  “it is however sad to note the neglect this organization experienced from the past administrations in the state which resulted in its inability to access necessary support in the area of Agriculture such credit facility, farm inputs, trainings, innovative technology, crop insurance e.t.c as compared to their male counterpart” he said.

Alhaji Katsina however assured the organization of the present government commitment under the leadership of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq to the development of agricultural sector and promise to bridge the gap between men and women in all sector in the State.

The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the support of the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) and Action aid Nigeria added that the State Government will continue to give necessary support to the organization with the view to boost food production, food security and enhance income generation to the admiration of all.

In her earlier remark, the Kwara State SWOFON President, Hajia Bosede Anifowose thanked the State Government for its support and the hospitality accorded their organization.  She also implored the State Government to give them required tools and provide allocation in the state annual budget for women farmers.