Smallholder women farmers in Ondo State have renewed their call for increased government intervention to tackle challenges hindering food production and agricultural growth in the state.
The farmers, under the umbrella of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Ondo State Chapter, made the demand at the 2025 Post-World Food Day Interactive Forum organized by the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Akure, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, held at JDPC Hall, Akure, the state capital.
Speaking at the event, the SWOFON State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Oyediji, highlighted key issues confronting smallholder farmers, including poor road networks, electricity shortages, inadequate irrigation systems, lack of storage facilities, insecurity, and limited access to credit and markets.
“We face real challenges — bad roads, electricity and storage problems. These are concrete issues the government must urgently address if food production must improve,” Oyediji said, urging stronger policy advocacy and government support to empower rural farmers.
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Hon. Engr. Olaleye Akinola, a representative from the ministry reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustainable food systems and inclusive agricultural policies.
He said the ministry had strengthened collaborations with CSOs, including JDPC and SWOFON, and increased women’s participation in agricultural programs, training, and fertilizer distribution.
“The state is scaling up public investment in agriculture through participatory budgeting and citizen inclusion, especially for women and youths,” she noted.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, represented by Mrs. Dani Yola Emi Grace, commended the farmers for their resilience and reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to work with partners to enhance food security and rural livelihoods.
In her presentation, Mrs. Oyediji outlined the 2025 Kampala Declaration on Agriculture (2026–2035), emphasizing six strategic pillars to guide Nigeria’s agricultural transformation — including sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and climate-smart farming practices.
“Nigeria was part of the Kampala commitment; we cannot shy away from it. We must fulfill our pledge to intensify sustainable food production and empower women farmers,” she stressed.
The event also featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, ActionAid Nigeria, CSOs, and youth farmer groups (YOFIN), alongside an exhibition of farm produce by local farmers.
Stakeholders unanimously called for the signing and implementation of Ondo State’s gender- and disability-inclusive agricultural policy and the adoption of a costed implementation plan to ensure targeted investment in each sub-sector.
The forum concluded with a collective appeal for deliberate, gender-focused government interventions to strengthen women’s roles in achieving a resilient and equitable food system in the state.
