Nigeria's Focus on Women Farmers for Agricultural Growth

As Nigeria celebrates Independence Day, the article by Chika Jadesola Orji emphasizes the need to focus on smallholder women farmers who are vital to the country's agricultural and food systems. The national address highlighted priorities such as increasing agricultural production, improving irrigation, and reducing post-harvest losses.

However, it stresses that a gender-neutral approach can overlook the unique challenges faced by women farmers in accessing resources like land, finance, and markets. The Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation and its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan aim to create a more gender-responsive agricultural ecosystem.

The article outlines a pathway from production to protection, value addition, resilience, and ultimately shared prosperity. It calls for tangible investments that reach the grassroots level, particularly benefiting smallholder women farmers who are central to Nigeria's food future.