Senator Natasha Wants More Participation Of Women In Agriculture

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district has emphasized the paramount importance of improving women’s involvement in agriculture.

She spoke during her address at the 2024 Gender Policy in Agriculture event, an event organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the National Gender Steering Committee.

The programme aims to rectify gender imbalances in agriculture, providing women with enhanced access to resources and fostering a national gender-based policy for improved food security.

Senator Natasha, a notable figure in Nigerian politics, affirmed the commitment of the 10th Senate to enact legislation fostering women’s active participation in agriculture, emphasizing that the Senate seeks to create laws promoting robust and sustainable agricultural production beyond cultivation and harvest. She highlighted the significance of addressing the entire agricultural value chain, including processing, packaging, and delivery, to minimize financial losses in the sector.

Advocating for a holistic approach, Senator Natasha urged the federal government to address the secondary stages of agricultural production and mitigate losses experienced by farmers. She stressed the need for comprehensive data on women in agriculture across states, emphasizing the importance of targeted government programs and interventions.

To facilitate women’s access to finance in agriculture, Senator Natasha recommended collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Women Affairs, SMEDAN, and other relevant government agencies. She encouraged meaningful engagement with representatives in various states to ensure effective implementation of policies and programs.

In her capacity as the Chairman of the Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha revealed ongoing efforts to pass a bill encompassing the non-oil and gas sector, including agriculture. This legislative move aims to provide the necessary support for women in agriculture, generating revenue and jobs outside the oil and gas industry.

Highlighting the underrepresentation of women in interventions, Senator Natasha called for intentional inclusion of women in agricultural support initiatives. She urged policymakers to consider women farmers when distributing interventions like fertilizers, emphasizing the need for equitable benefits across gender lines in the agricultural sector.

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