FG, Stakeholders Canvass Gender Policy for Increased Food Production

Gilbert Ekugbe

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has partnered with agricultural stakeholders to push for the implementation of a gender policy aimed at bridging the gender gap, as well as empowering women for increased food production and attaining nutrition security in the country.

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari made this call at the National Gender Policy in Agriculture forum jointly organised by the steering committee for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture in Abuja.

Represented by Director of Human Resources Management, at the ministry, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, Kyari noted that the thrust of the workshop was hinged on charting a roadmap in terms of wider synergy for the implementation of the policy, adding that the partnership witnessed a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment towards engendering the agricultural sector.

He stated that the policy was developed along with its legal frameworks and was in line with the provision of the National Gender Policy by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Protocols and Treaties signed by the federal government on gender mainstreaming and women empowerment.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Temitope Fashedemi, who was represented by Director Special Duties, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe, stated that the occasion signaled yet another giant stride and commitment of the ministry towards mainstreaming gender in the agricultural sector for improved food security.

Fashedemi pointed out that the policy document would provide a policy direction that underscores the fact that accounting for the different roles and access to input by women and men in agriculture was a necessary condition to progressively realise the SDGs.

In his good will message, the Chairman House Committee on Agricultural production and Services, Hon. Bello Kaoje, who was represented by Mr. Ahmed Sabi, stated that the primary goal of any policy was enhancement of food security and livelihood, which in turn would accelerate development of the country.