The United Nations and stakeholders in Nigeria have called for stronger support for women farmers, highlighting their critical role in strengthening food security, building climate resilience and advancing sustainable development.
The call was made at the UN House in Abuja during activities marking the International Year of the Woman Farmer, which featured high-level dialogues, exhibitions and engagement sessions focused on the contributions and challenges of women in agriculture.
The gathering provided a platform to recognise the vital contributions of women farmers, amplify their voices and draw attention to the structural barriers limiting their participation across the agrifood value chain.
Stakeholders identified access to land, finance and markets as some of the major challenges confronting women farmers, stressing the need to address these barriers if they are to fully contribute to Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The discussions also focused on mobilising stronger partnerships, investments and policy actions to promote gender equality and strengthen the role of women in building resilient and sustainable food systems.
The United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to spotlight the contributions of women farmers and encourage greater action to remove the structural barriers they face.
For Nigeria, stakeholders said the observance provides an opportunity to move beyond recognition and translate the contributions of women farmers into practical support, improved access to resources and stronger opportunities across the agricultural sector.
They noted that empowering women farmers would not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to stronger food systems and greater resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.