By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
As the United Nations marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer, stakeholders in Nigeria have called for stronger support for women whose contributions remain critical to food production, climate resilience and sustainable development.
The call was made at the UN House in Abuja, where the International Year of the Woman Farmer was commemorated through high-level dialogues, exhibitions and engagement sessions.
The activities provided a platform to recognize the contributions of women farmers, amplify their voices and draw attention to barriers limiting their participation across the agrifood value chain.
Of particular concern are challenges around access to land, finance and markets, which stakeholders say must be addressed to enable women farmers reach their full potential.
The dialogue also focused on mobilizing partnerships, investments and policy actions that promote gender equality and strengthen the role of women in building resilient food systems.
The United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to spotlight the contributions of women farmers and encourage greater action towards removing the structural barriers they face.
For Nigeria, stakeholders say the observance presents an opportunity to translate recognition into practical support that can strengthen food security and improve livelihoods across the agricultural sector.
