Women in agribusiness and made-in-Nigeria products have been promoted by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), which emphasizes the positive economic effects of these initiatives. This call was made over the weekend at a public conference to celebrate the 2022 Nigerian International Women Entrepreneur Exhibition (NIWEX) in Lagos by Ide John Udeagbala, National President of NACCIMA.
At the forum titled “Encouraging Women in Agriculture and Made-in-Nigeria Products for Economic Growth,” the head of NACCIMA, who was represented by Vice President of NACCIMA, Chief Kola Akosile, stated that women make up about 70% of the workforce in the agricultural sector, making their contributions extremely significant and rare.
“As agriculture is an important engine for growth and poverty reduction, the sector seems to be underperforming because women in urban and rural economies face constraints that reduce economic productivity. Although it is true that women are filling important positions in the sector, there is still massive visibility in the agricultural Index gap that spreads across the State and the country at large,” he added.
“In view of these challenges women face in the area of agriculture, production and processing, let me use this medium to encourage our women to intensify their efforts in promoting agricultural production through made in Nigeria product as inscribed in this year’s theme, ‘encouraging women in Agriculture and made in Nigeria products for economic growth,” he stressed.
In a short remark, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar erstwhile Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairperson of the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), urged the womenfolk to commit themselves to the agric value chain, stressing that there are lots of benefits tied to it.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Lagos State, Mrs. Lola Akande, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Adetutu Ososanya, said women have the potentials to transform the economy if given the right opportunities and encouragement. She commended the NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG) for the exceptional role being played in coordinating the efforts of women in the chamber, Lagos State and the country at large.
“There is no better time for this programme to come up than now. This is because women must be assisted and encouraged to contribute their quota to economic diversification.” The Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the Lagos State Government is committed to alleviating the challenges faced by women in the agricultural sector by giving priority to women in all its projects and initiatives.
She stressed that the Ministry ensures that at least 40 per cent of beneficiaries in any project are women and also programmes targeted at training women in off season activities for revenue generation.
