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Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers

Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers
By: Victor Emejuiwe
As Nigeria grapples with the food shortage across the country, it is now time to re-think the pivotal role of women in promoting food sustainability in Nigeria. Women are natural beings with an innate potential to conceive, deliver and nurture. This potential is not restrictive to biological cycle of life but it extends to all spheres of life including political, social and economic life.
In almost all communities in Nigeria, women constitute a major percentage of active farmers. Women in rural communities have been able to combine strength, zeal and dexterity in production of farm inputs that contributes to the survival and sustainability of the Homefront. Most times the women generate income from the produce of their farms by actively engaging in market days trading activities. It is however worrisome that despite the huge population of women farmers in Nigeria, their impact for the economic sustainability of Nigeria through food production is yet to be felt.
A lot of factors have contributed to stifling the potentials of women in sustainable food production in Nigeria. Some of those factors are both social, cultural, economic and political. In specific terms, the land ownership system in Nigeria does not really favor the female gender, as most families bequeath inheritance of landed property to male rather than women. As a result of this most women are given portions of land to farm out of benevolent gestures other than as a right of ownership.
This scenario has limited women farmers to become just subsistent farmers. Other factors limiting women farmers in Nigeria can also be traced to lack of support from government. Women has limited access to resources compared to their male folks and this makes it difficult for them to compete in the Agric-business economy.
The lack of resources serves as a limitation to accessing modern farm tools that would enable them go into large scale production, where-as these tools can be made easily available through loans to their male counterparts. There is also the dearth of knowledge on large scale farming amongst women farmers and this have restrained them to subsistent farming. Another inhibiting factor, is the cultural limitations that confines women with reproductive and domestic roles. This is even worse when there is lack of support from the home front to balance the economic outputs of women vis-à-vis their reproductive functions coupled with their domestic responsibilities. This calls for serious attention.
To address some of the limitations highlighted above, there is need to review the provision of some existing policies that support women contribution to food sustainability. The national policy on Agriculture aims at attaining self-sustainable growth in all the sub-sectors of agriculture and the structural transformation necessary for the overall socio-economic development of the country as well as the improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians.
To achieve this policy the female gender must be strategically empowered to contribute to food sustainability in Nigeria. This is also in line with the goal of the national policy on Gender in Agriculture. The agriculture gender policy is to promote and ensure the adoption of gender sensitive and responsive approaches towards engendering plans and programmes in such a way that men and women have access to and control of productive resources and facilities to bridge gender gaps. The policy document will enhance the platform to build an agri-business ecosystem to meet both domestic and foreign demands to achieve food security and accelerated development.
There is no other better time to implement these policies than now! Therefore, in line with the strategies contained in these policies, the government should take the following practical steps. First and fir most, it should collaborate with stakeholders to identify the gender limiting factors restraining women from participating in large scale farming and set-up a mechanism to mainstream gender equality in Agri-business. Secondly, through an inter-sectoral collaboration, government should allocate resources across sectors that would render support to women in agriculture.
Thirdly, there is need to implement gender sensitive laws, policies and regulations as well as build the capacity of stakeholders to abide by the guiding principles that provides for equitable access to women farmers.
Fourthly, for women to be involved in large scale production and commercial agriculture, women farmers should be granted subsidies on agricultural products. In essence modern farming tools for mechanized farming should be provided at subsidized rates to women farmers. Fifthly, the federal and state government should provide soft loans with low interest rates and favorable re-payment plans to women in agriculture this would enable them get easy access to resources
Finally, to achieve the above, women farmers association should be mainstreamed in every policy decisions of government, they should be given the opportunity to contribute to government policies, actions and implementations. All these and more would contribute immensely to achieve food sustainability in Nigeria
Victor Emejuiwe
Monitoring & Evaluation /Strategic Communication Manager
Writes from Centre for Social Justice, Abuja
08068262366
Addressing Food Sustainability in Nigeria Through Women Farmers
News
Chinese Embroidery Companies Make Inroads into Nigeria to Empower Youth

Chinese Embroidery Companies Make Inroads into Nigeria to Empower Youth
By: Michael Mike
The drive to unearth the potential of Nigeria’s creative sector and further empowers the youth has received a boost as a youth-focused initiative aimed at building sustainable fashion-based businesses across the country.was unveiled on Wednesday
The unveiling was done in Abuja by Embroidery Chief in collaboration with leading Chinese embroidery machine manufacturers Dahao and Futong,
Speaking during the unveiling at a stakeholders’ engagement themed “Stitching the Future: Building Sustainable Embroidery Businesses in Africa,” the Founder of Embroidery Chief, Mr. Lukman Abdulsalam, said that the initiative is designed to empower young Nigerians with practical embroidery and fashion design skills that can be turned into profitable ventures.
According to him, the project launched in partnership with leading Chinese embroidery machine manufacturers Dahao and Futong, will begin with the establishment of innovation hubs in 10 states, including Lagos and Kano. Each hub will be equipped with 50 embroidery machines, offered at subsidized rates to make them accessible to young entrepreneurs.
Abdulsalam noted that training programmes will run in three phases: one month for design, two weeks for machine operation, and one month for technical repairs.
He said that many young Nigerians already possess natural creativity but lack the technical skills to fully express and monetize their talent.
Abdulsalam said: “The purpose of this gathering is to raise awareness about key issues in the fashion industry, how individuals can upscale, identify existing gaps, and connect with the right people and opportunities.
“We aim to collaborate with the government, which is why we have key stakeholders here today. Our plan is to establish hubs in about 10 states. Each hub will receive approximately 50 embroidery machines, and we will train end users on machine operation, technical support, and digital design creation.
“This initiative will begin with 10 states as a pilot. We are committed to empowering individuals by providing these machines at subsidized rates, making them affordable for emerging entrepreneurs.
“In Nigeria, many people still lack the technical knowledge to properly size and digitize designs using software. That’s why training is essential. Once people learn how to use both the machines and the software effectively, it will foster healthy competition and unlock creativity across the board.
“Youth will be able to create designs on sneakers, shoes, bags, clothing, even decorative frames. The possibilities are vast, and with the right skills, we can unlock an entirely new wave of innovation in the fashion industry.”
In his remarks, Michael Zuo, Senior Sales Executive at Dahao, said the company is seriously considering setting up a branch office in Nigeria to support the growth of the embroidery ecosystem.
Also speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde who was represented by Dr Taiwo Bashir, described the initiative as a golden opportunity for Nigerian youth.
He noted that there are numerous areas where the government can collaborate, which is likely why the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President asked him to attend the event on his behalf.
He said: “This is a great opportunity for Nigerian youth, as the embroidery industry is worth millions of dollars and still largely untapped. There is so much to be done, and anyone with the vision and willingness to act now stands to benefit immensely.”
Chinese Embroidery Companies Make Inroads into Nigeria to Empower Youth
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Troops neutralise bandit, rescue victim in Wase ambush operation

Troops neutralise bandit, rescue victim in Wase ambush operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation LAFIYAN JAMA’A have neutralised a suspected bandit and rescued a kidnapped victim during a successful ambush operation in Sabon Gari village, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the operation, which occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence on the movement of bandits along the Kampani–Zurak–Sabon Gari axis.

According to the sources, troops of Sector 2, deployed under Operation Safe Haven, laid a tactical ambush at key crossing points used by the criminals.
During the engagement, one bandit was neutralised while others fled the scene. The troops later combed the general area and rescued one Mr. Amadu Alhaji Nuhu, a 45-year-old man from Taraba State, who had been held captive.
Items recovered from the scene included one fabricated pistol, a pistol magazine, four rounds of 9mm ammunition, one boxer motorcycle, a pair of shoes, a cap, and a head warmer.

The rescued victim and recovered items are currently in safe custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.
Troops neutralise bandit, rescue victim in Wase ambush operation
News
Two killed, several injured as bandits attack vigilantes in Kwara

Two killed, several injured as bandits attack vigilantes in Kwara
By: Zagazola Makama
Two persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a bandit attack on vigilante operatives in Edogi, Lafiagi axis of Kwara State.
The incident, which occurred during a clash between the vigilantes and suspected bandits, also left four persons with gunshot wounds. Among the injured are Mohammed Ndagi,Saidu Jiya,and Philips John,all members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN). A civilian passerby, Babangida Daniel was also caught in the crossfire.
They were rushed to the General Hospital in Lafiagi for emergency treatment. However, the VGN Commander, Mohammed Yatsu (50), and Babangida Daniel were confirmed dead by medical personnel.
The remaining injured victims have been referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) for further medical care.
Meanwhile, ASP Sado Sunday, who was reportedly involved in the operation, remains missing as search efforts continue.
Security sources say efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators and restore calm in the area.
Two killed, several injured as bandits attack vigilantes in Kwara
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