The Small Scale Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria [SWOFON], Kwara chapter, has appealed to the government for support to improve their productivity in farming.
The state Coordinator of SWOFON, Bosede Anifowose, made the call in Ilorin on Tuesday during a Stakeholders Interactive Forum with government MDAs on the Kwara Agriculture Sector.
Mrs. Anifowose said women farmers are not receiving sufficient government support to encourage female participation in agriculture in the state.
She stated that SWOFON needs inputs, land, and other resources to support their efforts.
“We have been neglected. All attention has been on male farmers. We need more support from the government to boost our morale.
“We need land for cluster farming, agricultural inputs, as well as interest-free loans to support our agricultural business.
“Provide us with grants, and see how we will exceed your expectations. We have what it takes to produce enough food to feed Kwara residents and the nation,” she said.
The state coordinator also revealed that politicians have hijacked most of the grants designated for women farmers in the state.
According to her, most inputs and other benefits meant for SWOFON are mostly seized by politicians, depriving members of their rights to access them.
She, however, advised the government not to merge farmer’s grants with politician’s grants as farmers are being cheated.
