Delight Chinedum
Federal government has reassured its preparedness to supporting and creating enabling environment for farmers to boost food security in the country.
Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Awka Anambra State, Mr Mbuba Arthur gave the assurance on Thursday during a 2day stakeholders’ Consultative Forum/Needs Setting on Prioritization of Small Holders’ Women Farmers (SHWFs) key MDAs in the state.
The engagement was organized by Small Women Farmers Organization in Nigeria (SWOFON) in support of International Budget Partnership.
Arthur, represented by Desk Officer Extension, Mr Vincent Okeke said gone were days poverty was associated with farming, stressing that farming should rather be business and money spinning venture especially through mechanised agriculture.
He urged the participants not to be ashamed to be identified with farming but take proud in agriculture as the backbone of food security in the country.
“Dont be ashamed to answer farmers because you can’t afford to be poor and beggarly as farmers. That is why you must go beyond subsistence farming of hoes and cutlasses to commercial and mechanised farming.
“We’re ready to partner with you to ensure improved efficiency in your service delivery. Just articulate your requests and submit to the Ministry for necessary assistance,” he added.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Chinyere Nwabachili, pledged government’s readiness to support SWOFON in any way possible.
“We’ve had agreement on how to work together. Government will not only provide agriculture input but we will also look into creating budget line for your activities. However, we need relevant data to achieve that”.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Ifeyinwa Uzoka, while promising sustained assistance for SWOFON urged its members to identify with the HODs agriculture and supervisors in various LGAs.
“The governor wants to know who is getting anything from government and that will emanate from the local government. We are compiling the names of people for dry season rice farming in riverine areas and I want you to benefit from it. Go and fraternize with your HOD Agriculture and agriculture supervisors”.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, Chinwe Achugbu encouraged SWOFON members to get close to the ministry to benefit from some of its activities.
“The Commissioner is doing so much to ensure that women get what belongs to them. The ball is your court. Feel free to access the ministry”.
The National Vice President, ASATU and Secretary, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State Chapter, Ikechukwu Offorkansi applauded the contribution of small-scale women farmers to food production in the country.
“The goal of SWOFON, which is to ensure food security, is commendable. We will work towards creating the consciousness among ASATU members.
“I am persuaded that given the enabling environment; you people will do more than you are doing now. I will help in spreading this gospel of food security”.
Presenting a paper on Engaging For System Change in Agricultural and Overview of Anambra State 2025 Budget, Program Manager, Public Finance Management (PFM) of Center for Social Justice, Sundayson Chidi underscored the place of technology for increased productivity as against the old order of subsistence farming.
While analyzing Anambra State 2025 Budget proposal, Sundayson said it did not reflect government commitment towards improving food production.
“In actual amounts, the state budget for agriculture has been increasing, but in terms of percentage, it has been reducing, 2025 allocation being the lowest. Besides, the budget proposal for 2025 is not gender-sensitive,” he stated.
Executive Director, Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC) and SWOFON Partner, Ugochi Ehiahuruike appealed to traditional rulers and presidents-general to use their good offices towards achieving food security in the state.
“We must get our priority right if we must address the issue of food security in the state. Instead of asking for only roads, they should also start requesting for attention to agriculture,” she added.
Earlier, National Officer, SWOFON, Udeh Virginia said the organization with membership of 2million play vital roles especially in the areas of providing food for the citizenry.
She urged members to remain focused to the group’s vision, even as she solicited support towards uplifting her people, including empowering them with skills, training and mentorship for greater productivity.