The Anambra State chapter of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has called for improved budgetary allocations and effective delivery of agricultural resources and services to smallholder women farmers across the state.
The organisation made the call on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during the launch of its policy brief titled “Women Farmers’ Voice to Action.” The event was held at Senator Uche Ekwunife Crescent, Iyiagu Estate, Awka, as part of SWOFON’s national campaign on accelerating women farmers’ impact towards food security.
Speaking at the event, the SWOFON Coordinator in Anambra State, Mrs. Georgina Akunyiba, said the policy brief highlighted key findings and recommendations aimed at amplifying the voices and priorities of smallholder women farmers in agricultural policymaking, budgeting and implementation.
Akunyiba explained that the organisation sought to engage the government and other stakeholders to secure commitments towards the adoption and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural policies, adequate budgetary allocations, and improved access to resources and services for women farmers.
“We are here to engage with the government and secure its commitment towards implementing gender-responsive agricultural policies, adequate budgetary allocations, and improved delivery of resources and services to smallholder women farmers,” she said.
In a goodwill message, the Country Director of the International Budget Partnership (IBP) Nigeria, Dr Yinka Babalola represented by Mrs. Lilian Ibeh, commended SWOFON for its efforts in advancing the interests of women farmers despite challenges such as inadequate tools and farm inputs.
She noted that women play a significant role in food production in Nigeria but are often excluded from decisions concerning agricultural budgets.
“The majority of what feeds this nation passes through women’s hands, yet, for too long, decisions about the budgets meant to support that work were made without them in the room,” she said.
Babalola recalled that SWOFON and IBP began their partnership in 2018 to promote the participation of women farmers in agricultural budget processes.
According to her, the partnership has enabled women farmers across five states to participate in budget hearings that previously excluded them.
She urged stakeholders to ensure that the demands contained in the policy brief translate into concrete budgetary provisions, timely fund releases and effective implementation of agricultural programmes.
Representing the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena, the Head of Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwafor, reassured SWOFON of the ministry’s continued support and commended the organisation’s contributions to food production.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, represented by the ministry’s Head of Department, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezoka, commended the group, stating that the ministry had continued to support women, including those engaged in farming.
The Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mr. Anajaobi Cajetan, also praised SWOFON and assured the organisation that women farmers would be included in the local government’s budget for the coming year.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budgeting and Economic Planning, the Head of the Partnership Coordination Department, Mrs. Obianamma Orji, pledged the ministry’s necessary support to SWOFON ahead of the 2027 bilateral budget discussions, subject to approval by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking about their experiences, some of the women farmers, including Gloria Nwafor, Rosemary Onwuebuka and Ngozi Obiajulu, said their participation in agricultural initiatives had helped them overcome post-harvest losses.
