Expert appeals FG on empowering women farmers
“The government needs to work with women to sponsor women in agriculture, not just financially but endorsing these women and their programmes,” she said.
An agriculture and social advocacy expert, Mrs Mercy Gilbert, has appealed to the Federal Government to empower women farmers to boost food production.
Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer, African British Forum, made the call in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
Supreme News reports that the African British Forum is a platform for networking with different international organisations and countries for the empowerment of women in agriculture.
“The government should play a more intentional role in empowering women in male-dominated agricultural society.
“The government needs to work with women to sponsor women in agriculture, not just financially but endorsing these women and their programmes,” she said.
According to her, this will encourage partnerships and empowerment of women farmers from local and international organisations, enhancing the growth of the agriculture sector.
Highlighting roles played by her organisation in bridging the gender gap in agriculture, Gilbert said they conducted capacity building for women farmers.
According to her, the organisation started a pilot project in Delta State, involving 16 students and young girls.
“We decided to train them in agriculture, from preparing the soil to identifying different fruits, how to grow them, and to the end product of selling and exporting those produce,” she said.
Gilbert said the purpose was to build the capacity of women and girls in agriprenuership.