International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (IFAD-VCDP), says it would increase women participation in agriculture by 50 per cent in Niger before it winds up in 2024.
Dr Mathew Ahmed, the State Programme Coordinator, stated this at a one-day advocacy and sensitisation of traditional leaders, religious leaders, men and women on women empowerment on Thursday in Bida.
Ahmed was represented by Hajiya Maimuna Ahmed, the state VCDP, Rural Institution Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Officer.
He said that the measure would increase agriculture production to ensure food security of the state and the nation.
The coordinator said that the process would create jobs and wealth as well as producing food for the women to support their households.
“When the VCDP started in Niger, 38 per cent out of the 100 per cent of farmers participating in agriculture were women.
“When the VCDP-Additional Financing (AF) started, the women participation reduced to 16 per cent, making the VCDP to come up with this advocacy and sensitisation.
“The effort yielded good result because women participation had increased to 48 per cent.
“The VCDP has a target to increase it to 50 per cent before the end of the programme by December 2024,” he said.
He said that the exercise would ensure more women participation in agriculture to enhance their livelihood.
“There is the need to train the women in modern agriculture, support them with inputs, implements and infrastructure,” he said.
He said that under the VCDP, many women were into rice and cassava processing while a few are into production.
Ahmed said that some of the factors militating against women participation in agriculture were lack of support from their husbands.