BY WIZDOM EZECHI
The active participation and recognition of women’s contribution across all value chains and processes in the food and agricultural landscape are critical for any nation’s economic and social development. Women contribute to over 50% of food production worldwide and over 80% in Africa through their roles as farmers, processors, and entrepreneurs. Yet, studies consistently show that female farmers have lower rates of agricultural productivity than their male counterparts. Given the critical role of agriculture in providing employment and as a source of livelihood for millions of African women, it is imperative to promote gender-transformative approaches to drive agricultural interventions across different value chains. There are lessons for Nigeria from Zambia’s efforts to promote equity in the food and agriculture landscape by developing and implementing policies prioritizing women’s participation in decision-making forums and providing holistic technical and financial support to women’s groups to strengthen their advocacy and engagement in policy-making processes.
Read more: Daily Trust | Cable
