By Ese Ufuoma
Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of global economies, providing food security, employment, and livelihoods for millions. Despite their critical contributions, women farmers remain disproportionately underrepresented and marginalized in this sector. Empowering female farmers is not only a matter of gender equity but also a vital strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and fostering sustainable development worldwide.
The critical role of women in agriculture cannot be overstated. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women comprise approximately 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. In many regions, women are responsible for producing, processing, and marketing food, managing household nutrition, and ensuring food security for their families. For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, women are involved in 70% of food production. Their contributions are essential for achieving food security and economic stability.
However, regardless of their pivotal role, women often face significant barriers to success. “As a woman farmer, I struggle to access credit and land,” says Aisha Mohammed, a Nigerian farmer. “Most banks require collateral, which is difficult for women to provide since we often don’t have land titles.” Limited access to resources, training, and decision-making power constrains women’s productivity and potential. As Mary, a smallholder farmer from Kenya, poignantly notes, “As a woman farmer, I face difficulties in accessing credit and markets. We need training and support to improve our yields and livelihoods.” Fatima, a farmer from Tanzania, echoes this sentiment, adding, “I’ve learned new techniques through training programs, but implementing them is challenging due to limited resources.” Sofia, an agricultural cooperative leader from Guatemala, emphasizes the need for recognition and equal opportunities, stating, “Women’s work in agriculture is often invisible. We need recognition and equal opportunities to participate in decision-making.”
One of the primary challenges women face is limited access to essential resources such as land, credit, and technology. Cultural norms and legal frameworks often restrict women’s land ownership and inheritance rights. Even when women do have access to land, they may still face challenges in securing credit, as traditional banking systems often favour male borrowers.
Education and training gaps also hinder women’s progress. Women often have less access to agricultural training and extension services, preventing them from adopting modern farming techniques. “Training would help us learn new methods and improve our yields,” notes Fatima Usman, a farmer from Kano State, Nigeria. “But most training programs are designed for men, and women are often left behind.”
Furthermore, cultural attitudes and gender biases can further marginalize women in agriculture. Women’s work is often undervalued, and their contributions are overshadowed by their male counterparts. This bias affects women’s access to markets, resources, and leadership roles within agricultural cooperatives.
Despite these challenges, empowering women in agriculture is crucial for global food security, economic growth, and sustainable development. By addressing the challenges faced by female farmers and investing in their empowerment, we can unlock the full potential of agriculture to improve livelihoods, enhance community resilience, and create a more equitable world. Empowering women farmers can have a transformative impact. According to FAO estimates, women’s participation in agriculture can increase productivity by 20-30%. Moreover, enhanced food security and economic empowerment can have far-reaching benefits for households and communities. As the world strives to achieve sustainable development, the critical role of women farmers cannot be ignored.
As we move forward, it is essential to recognize and support the invaluable contributions of women farmers, ensuring they play a central role in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems worldwide. “Empowering women farmers is not just about gender equality; it’s about ensuring food security and economic stability for our communities,” emphasizes Maryam Mohammed, a farmer and women’s rights advocate.
To achieve this, governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to provide women with access to resources, training, and decision-making power. By doing so, we can tap into the untapped potential of women farmers and create a more sustainable, equitable, and food-secure world. Empowering women farmers is not only a moral imperative but also an economic and environmental necessity. To achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, governments, organizations, and individuals must prioritize investments in women’s agricultural development, addressing the systemic barriers that hinder their progress. We must act now to:
– Provide women with secure land rights and access to credit
– Increase funding for women-focused agricultural training and extension services
– Promote gender-sensitive policies and programs
– Support women’s leadership in agricultural cooperatives and decision-making bodies
The future of agriculture depends on it. Let us join forces to unleash the full potential of women farmers and build a more equitable, sustainable, and food-secure world.