SWOFON demands national recognition, investment on rural women farmers

By Felicia Imohimi

Smallscale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON)has urged the Federal and State Governments and the National Assembly to establish an annual national celebration and investment plan to recognise rural women contributions to agriculture and food security.

Mrs Florence Ojo, Acting National President of SWOFON, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja to mark the International Day of Rural Women.

NAN reports that the day is commemorated annually on October15, with the 2026 theme: “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature.”

Ojo said the occasion should recognise rural women’s contributions to food security and national development while promoting concrete measures to improve their livelihoods.

She said October 15 should serve as a platform for accountability, inclusion and measurable progress rather than a ceremonial event.

“October 15 should feature recognition of outstanding women farmers, exhibitions of agricultural produce, policy dialogues and concrete commitments to improve the livelihoods of rural women,” she said.

Ojo said rural women played vital roles across the agricultural value chain, from planting and harvesting to processing and marketing produce.

She, however, identified limited access to land, affordable finance, quality inputs, modern technology, extension services and markets as major challenges facing many women farmers.

She urged governments, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders to translate public recognition into concrete policies, adequate funding and sustained investment.

“If Nigeria can celebrate International Women’s Day with colourful ceremonies, public recognition and nationwide activities, then rural women farmers deserve that same level of recognition, honour and celebration annually on October 15,” she said.

Ojo called for secure land rights, affordable financing, quality seeds, gender-friendly equipment, climate-smart technologies, irrigation and improved extension services for rural women farmers.

She also sought fair markets, competitive prices, stronger value chains for women-produced commodities, greater representation in policymaking and dedicated budgetary allocations for smallholder women farmers.

“These are not privileges. They are essential investments in food security, rural development, women’s economic empowerment and the future of our nation,” she said.

Ojo called for stronger collaboration among development partners and civil society organisations to amplify rural women’s voices and translate advocacy into lasting change.

She assured women farmers that their contributions to agriculture and national development mattered, adding that their dignity deserved protection.

“You are not merely participants in agriculture; you are leaders, producers, entrepreneurs and indispensable partners in national development,” she said.

NAN reports that the International Day of Rural Women observed annually on October 15 was established by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/136 in December 2007 and first celebrated in 2008.

The day was set aside to recognise the critical role and contribution of rural and indigenous women in enhancing agricultural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

FUA/TAK

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Nefisetu Yakubu