The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has called for the empowerment of women in agriculture to enhance food security and drive sustainable economic growth across Nigeria.
Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Dr Peter Akwe, made the call while receiving national officials of the Nigerian Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWIA) in Lafia.
Akwe said agriculture was vital to individual and national development, adding that supporting women in agriculture was key to ensuring both food security and national economic stability.
“Empowering women in agriculture is crucial for improving food security and ensuring economic growth in the country,” Akwe said during the meeting with the association’s leadership.
He added that women, when given proper tools and support, could significantly contribute to agricultural productivity and broader economic progress in the country.
The lawmaker assured the association of the Assembly’s support, promising collaboration to strengthen food production and achieve food sufficiency nationwide.
“Agriculture provides food, generates employment, revenue, and improves the standard of living for Nigerians,” Akwe said, while reaffirming his commitment to supporting women farmers.
He also lauded the association for training women on post-harvest loss reduction and offering other forms of capacity building to strengthen their agricultural activities.
Earlier, Mr Agbose Bem-Emmanuel, Programme Manager of NAWIA, said their visit aimed to seek collaboration and support from the legislature to help fulfil the association’s mandate.
Bem-Emmanuel said NAWIA was fully committed to empower women in agriculture and enhance their role in achieving national food security across all regions of Nigeria.
He highlighted the association’s efforts in providing training, capacity building, and technical support to improve productivity and reduce food loss among its members.
Also speaking, Mrs Christiana Ibi, Nasarawa State Coordinator of Women in Agriculture, thanked Akwe for his attention and ongoing support to women farmers in the state.
She, however, appealed to more stakeholders and decision-makers to support their initiatives in order to ensure food sufficiency and boost women’s participation in agriculture.
(NAN)