By Stephen Adeleye

Financial expert and community leader, Ambassador Dr. Samuel Babatunde-Esanuaje, has advised Nigerian youths to embrace farming as a way to achieve financial independence and improve their quality of life. Speaking with journalists at the 2024 Orokere Day celebration in Orokere-Amuro, Mopamuro Local Government Area, Kogi State, Babatunde encouraged youths to avoid social vices and look to agriculture as a sustainable response to the country’s economic challenges.

As the National Financial Consultant for the Association of 774 Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Gbobagunwa of Amuro Land, Babatunde highlighted the role of agriculture in job creation and poverty alleviation. “We’re facing a food crisis, and meaningful involvement in farming can be a solution,” he stated. “I personally cultivate 12 hectares of rice, which shows farming is both viable and profitable.”

Babatunde pointed out that agriculture offers young people an opportunity to become self-sufficient while contributing to national food security. “With the current cost of rice at around N130,000 per 50kg for imported brands and N100,000 for local varieties, farming offers significant earning potential,” he said. “Youth engagement in agriculture can bring prosperity, while also promoting community involvement, peace, and responsibility.”

In addition, Babatunde called on the government to address key security issues, including the protection of farmlands and tackling the threats of banditry and kidnappings that undermine agricultural productivity. “Ensuring safety will allow more people to pursue farming and, in turn, strengthen food security,” he added.

Retired Commodore Folusho Daniel, a former representative of Mopamuro in the Kogi Assembly, echoed Babatunde’s call for youth empowerment. “We need to focus on employment and engagement for our youth,” he said. “This is essential not only for their future but also for reducing insecurity across the country.”

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The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Gender Equality Initiative, through its HER+ initiative, has emphasized the urgent need for improved access to agricultural land and resources for women.
This call to action was made during a high-level dialogue held on October 9, 2024, in Abuja, aimed at addressing barriers women face in Nigeria’s agrifood sector.

The dialogue served as a platform for stakeholders from government, civil society, and academia to collaborate on innovative approaches that recognize women as essential agents of change in agriculture.

Jordan Kyle, lead for the HER+ Initiative’s voice work package, highlighted the importance of integrating women’s perspectives into agricultural policies, stating, “Women are differently affected by climate shocks. Solutions designed without women’s voices are unlikely to work effectively for them.”
She stressed that transforming societal norms requires women to have a seat at the decision-making table.

The event gathered a various range of stakeholders, including government representatives and researchers, to explore strategies for enhancing women’s influence in policy-making. A key focus was the Women Empowerment in Agrifood Governance (WEAGov) framework developed by CGIAR researchers, which aims to increase women’s policy influence. “In Nigeria, women are often excluded from governance institutions. WEAGov serves as a tool to identify entry points for increasing women’s policy influence,” Kyle noted.

Mrs. Ifeoma Anyanwu, Deputy Director of Gender Mainstreaming at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the need for actionable steps to fund and implement policies, stating, “WEAGov is serving as a trigger to activate attention among policymakers.”

Participants expressed concerns about societal norms that limit women’s effectiveness in the agrifood sector. A Post-Doctorate Fellow from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture noted significant gender-based restrictions, including limitations in financial autonomy, technology access, and leadership roles.

Professor Anthony Onoja, President of the Agricultural Policy Research Network and Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Development at the University of Port Harcourt, discussed the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly women, who face systemic disempowerment. He advocated for women’s inclusion in climate change adaptation research and decision-making processes, proposing that empowering women through cooperatives and engaging religious leaders can enhance their economic participation and resilience.

Jumoke Adeyeye, a Gender Specialist at IITA, underscored the significance of CGIAR’s focus on gender and climate change. She stated that the initiative aims to enhance women’s economic resilience by addressing transformative changes and improving governance and policy issues.

A Program Officer at the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Adedeji Tolu, echoed the need for co-designed research that includes women in climate change adaptation strategies. He remarked, “Women become more vulnerable due to their disempowerment in terms of voice and financial autonomy.”

Hyacinth Edeh’s opening remarks emphasized the critical roles women play in agricultural sustainability, noting that women represent about 65 percent of the rural labor force. “To close the gender gaps in the agricultural sector, we need to ensure that women are central to food security solutions,” he stated.

Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, Director of Business Development and Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria, highlighted the necessity for collective action to address gender inequality. “Voice is power. Dismantling patriarchal biases must be done intentionally. Women’s leadership is essential to achieving gender equality and empowerment,” she said.
At the forum it was highlighted tha women Nigeria face significant barriers to owning land and achieving economic empowerment due to societal norms requiring husband’s permission to control productive assets.
This severely limits women’s economic power and decision-making capabilities, forcing them to seek approval for basic business decisions.
To change the narratives the stakeholders advocated Community Dialogues to raise awareness and promote discussions on improving women’s access to land and resources Radio Programs featuring experts and local leaders to promote gender equality, Gender Dialogue engaging community, family, and governmental levels to change attitudes toward women’s rights

The Federal Government has struck a groundbreaking partnership with Trans Sahara Consortium to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through massive soybean and sugar projects.
The initiative aims to cultivate 3 million hectares of soybean and set up sugarcane processing plants, significantly boosting food security and reducing the country’s trade deficit.

Announcing the collaboration in Abuja, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, described the project as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s agro-economy.
Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, in a statement indicated that the ambitious venture aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food security and economic growth, with the potential to empower millions of farmers.

“We are committed to supporting innovative projects that fuel growth and improve the lives of Nigerians,” Edun stated, emphasizing the government’s full backing of the initiative.

This strategic partnership marks a significant step towards agricultural self-sufficiency and economic prosperity, creating new opportunities for local farmers and positioning Nigeria as a major player in the global agro-market.

The statement reads,
“The projects will involve the cultivation of 3 million hectares of soybean and the establishment of sugarcane processing plants, aiming to produce millions of tons of sugar for domestic consumption and export.
“This partnership is a significant step towards realizing our vision for a prosperous Nigeria. We will work closely with Trans Sahara Consortium Limited to ensure the successful implementation of these projects” the Minister added.

The statement described Edun’s expression of the government’s interest to embark on this groundbreaking partnership with Trans Sahara Consortium, as a reaffirmation of the Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, with the potential to boost food security, reduce trade deficits, and empower local farmers.

“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a prosperous Nigeria, even as we look forward to witnessing the tangible impact of this collaboration, fostering economic growth, and improving the lives of millions of the Citizenry.
“Together, we are sowing the seeds of a brighter future for our nation.”