By Rasheeda Hamidu
Agricultural policy researchers and gender specialists have called for stronger financing and accountability mechanisms to improve gender inclusion in Nigeria’s agricultural policies, saying existing commitments have not translated into meaningful outcomes for women and young people.
Experts made the call during a side event on Wednesday organised by the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Gender Responsive Agricultural Systems Policy Fellows, Cohort 3, on the sidelines of the Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja, AgroNigeria reported.
The Executive Director of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Prof. Lateef Sanni, delivered the keynote address, urging stakeholders to strengthen gender-responsive implementation across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Professor Stella O. Odebode of the University of Ibadan said Nigeria’s National Agricultural Extension Policy recognises women and marginalised groups but lacks measurable targets, dedicated financing and effective accountability mechanisms.
Odebode recommended gender-responsive budgeting, institutional support for women leaders and stronger monitoring systems to ensure agricultural policies deliver tangible benefits for women and youth.
Chief Research Officer at NSPRI, Dr Aremu Mariam Bukola, said women dominate post-harvest activities but continue to face limited access to modern technologies, finance and equipment needed to reduce food losses.
Dr Akunna Tim-Ashama of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education said Nigeria’s National Rice Development Strategy II acknowledges women and youth but fails to make gender equality a central policy objective or establish gender-responsive monitoring systems.
Gender specialist Joyce Ahmadu said discriminatory land tenure systems continue to prevent women from owning productive agricultural land, limiting their access to credit, inputs and decision-making opportunities.
Senior Fisheries Officer Osarodion Anthonia Osamede said weak institutional structures and inadequate implementation guidelines continue to undermine gender mainstreaming within Nigeria’s fish processing sub-sector.
NatureNews notes that improving women’s access to land, finance, technology and decision-making is essential for boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security and building climate-resilient food systems across Nigeria.