MARK Abani, a renowned farmer and agriculture consultant, has said that access to land for smallholder women farmers remains one of the persistent challenges threatening food security in Nigeria.
He emphasises that both national and local farmers face this ongoing issue and urged Government action at all levels to address it.
Abani spoke during a town hall meeting in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, which focuses on access to and control over land for smallholder women farmers and young people.
The event was organised by Participatory Development Alternatives (PDA) with support from ActionAid Nigeria.
As the Executive Chair of PDA, Abani pointed out that through agriculture and food production, the Government could potentially reduce the current inflation rate of 34% to 15%.
He highlighted that for rural farmers producing food, it is essential not only to grow crops but also to ensure there is a market where they can sell their products while still fresh, as post-harvest losses represent a significant source of waste in the agricultural supply chain.
Abani lamented that despite court rulings, including a Supreme Court judgment affirming women’s rights to inherit and own land, implementation has been virtually nonexistent.
He stated, “The only way forward is through continued advocacy and by engaging younger individuals and the community in understanding these issues. If we do not make land available to women, who are the primary farmers, our goals may never be achieved.”
Abani emphasised the need for public discussions involving traditional leaders to build awareness about the importance of women having access to land and how they can influence this issue. He urged Government stakeholders to recognise the necessity of granting access to land for women.
Moreover, he stressed that “it is not only essential to provide the land but also to ensure that it is arable and safeguarded for long enough so that farmers can invest in its development and receive returns on their investments.”
“Both government officials and traditional leaders must adapt their approaches as economies evolve,” he concluded.
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