By Simpson Global Media News Desk
Rural women farmers in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government, state governments and the National Assembly to establish an annual national celebration and a dedicated investment plan recognising their contribution to agricultural production, food security and rural economic development.
The call was made by Mrs Florence Ojo, Acting National President of the Smallscale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, October 15, 2026, to mark the International Day of Rural Women.
Ojo said the annual observance should go beyond public statements and symbolic celebrations to produce practical commitments capable of improving the livelihoods of women who work across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
She called for secure access to farmland, affordable financing, quality seeds, appropriate farming equipment, irrigation, climate-smart technologies, improved agricultural extension services and fairer access to markets.
The organisation also wants rural women farmers to receive greater representation in agricultural policymaking and benefit from dedicated budgetary allocations that respond to their needs.
According to reports published by NAN and Blueprint Newspapers, SWOFON believes that recognising rural women’s contribution should be accompanied by sustained public investment and policies that enable them to increase production, improve their incomes and strengthen their resilience to agricultural risks. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
A Call to Turn Recognition Into Action
The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15 to recognise the contributions of rural women to agriculture, food security, poverty reduction and community development.
For the 2026 observance, the theme is “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature.”
Ojo said the occasion should provide an opportunity to celebrate successful women farmers, showcase agricultural produce, organise policy discussions and secure concrete commitments from public institutions and development partners.
She argued that rural women deserve the same level of national recognition accorded to other important groups whose contributions are celebrated through public events and awareness campaigns.
The SWOFON leader maintained that October 15 should become a platform for accountability, inclusion and measurable progress rather than an occasion that ends when commemorative activities are concluded. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
Her proposal places attention on a broader question facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector: how to ensure that women who contribute to food production and distribution can obtain the land, finance, technology and market access needed to improve their livelihoods.
The demand is particularly relevant to smallholder agriculture, where farmers often operate with limited resources and must manage production costs, weather-related risks and uncertainty over the prices they will receive for their crops.
For women farmers, the ability to expand production can depend on several factors beyond their willingness to work. Access to secure farmland, suitable equipment, affordable credit and dependable buyers can determine whether a farming activity remains a small household operation or develops into a more productive enterprise.
SWOFON’s position is that public recognition should therefore be matched by policies and investments that address these practical constraints.
The organisation has called on government institutions, financial institutions, development partners and civil society groups to work together to make such support more accessible.
Women’s Work Extends Across the Agricultural Value Chain
Rural women contribute to agriculture at several stages, including planting, cultivation, harvesting, processing and marketing.
Their activities are not limited to working on farms. Women also participate in the handling and preparation of agricultural produce, small-scale trading and the movement of food from production areas to consumers.
These activities form part of the wider agricultural value chain, connecting farm production with processing, storage, distribution and retail markets.
The importance of this work becomes clearer when agricultural development is considered beyond the quantity of crops harvested. Food must also be handled, stored, processed and transported before it reaches households and businesses.
Women involved in these activities help sustain local food markets and generate income for their households and communities.
However, the ability to earn a reliable income depends on more than the amount of work performed. Farmers and agricultural traders must also be able to obtain suitable inputs, manage operating costs and reach buyers willing to pay prices that make their activities financially sustainable.
SWOFON’s demands focus on these links between production, income and market participation.
Ojo said rural women farmers should receive secure land rights, affordable financing, quality seeds, gender-friendly equipment, climate-smart technologies, irrigation and better access to agricultural extension services.
She also called for fair markets, competitive prices and stronger value chains for commodities produced by women. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
The proposals suggest that support for women farmers needs to cover the full journey from preparing farmland to selling produce, rather than concentrating on a single stage of production.
For example, providing seeds without ensuring that farmers can access land, water, suitable equipment or markets may leave important barriers unresolved.
Similarly, increasing output without improving storage, processing and market access may not translate into higher earnings for producers.
An effective agricultural support system must therefore consider the conditions under which women grow crops, manage their farms and sell what they produce.
Secure Access to Farmland Remains a Key Demand
Access to land is one of the central issues identified by SWOFON.
Land provides the foundation for crop cultivation and many other agricultural activities. Farmers who lack secure access may find it difficult to make long-term investments in soil improvement, irrigation, storage infrastructure or other productive assets.
Uncertainty over continued use of farmland can also make planning more difficult, especially where investments require several growing seasons to deliver their full benefits.
SWOFON has called for secure land rights for rural women farmers as part of a wider programme to strengthen their participation in agriculture. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
The demand is significant because access to land involves more than the availability of unused space. Farmers also need confidence that they can cultivate a plot for an adequate period, understand the conditions governing its use and make decisions about improvements without facing avoidable uncertainty.
For women seeking to expand their operations, insecure access may limit their ability to invest in more productive methods or qualify for some forms of financing.
Secure and clearly documented arrangements could help farmers plan their activities and demonstrate the stability of their operations when dealing with lenders or other institutions, depending on the requirements of those institutions.
However, land access policies must reflect the legal and customary arrangements that apply in different communities. A practical approach would need to account for local conditions and provide women with clear information about their rights and the procedures available to secure access.
The organisation has not announced a specific national land allocation programme as part of its October 15 appeal. Its demand is for governments and other stakeholders to make secure access to farmland a priority in policies supporting women farmers.
Whether the call produces changes will depend on the actions taken by the relevant authorities and how those measures are implemented across rural communities.
Affordable Finance Needed to Strengthen Farm Operations
SWOFON has also called for affordable financing for rural women farmers.
Finance is important at several stages of agricultural production. Farmers may need money to acquire seeds and other inputs, prepare farmland, hire labour, obtain equipment, transport produce or pay for storage and processing.
Where suitable financing is unavailable, farmers may have to depend on limited personal savings or other sources of money that do not adequately cover their operational needs.
That can restrict the size of a farm, limit the amount of land cultivated or prevent a farmer from investing in equipment and improved production methods.
The timing of finance matters as well. Agricultural businesses may need to spend money well before a harvest generates income. Repayment conditions that do not reflect the production cycle can create additional pressure.
SWOFON’s call for affordable financing indicates that support should take account of these realities rather than assume that all borrowers have the same financial circumstances.
A useful financing framework would need to consider loan costs, repayment schedules, eligibility requirements and the risks associated with different agricultural activities.
Financial institutions and government programmes could also examine whether women farmers can access clear information about available products and whether application procedures are suitable for small-scale producers.
However, the details of any lending arrangement would need to be assessed individually. Affordable finance does not mean that every loan is suitable for every farmer, and borrowing can create additional risks when expected harvests or selling prices do not materialise.
The central issue raised by SWOFON is that women farmers should have a fair opportunity to obtain appropriate financial services to support productive activity.
The organisation is asking governments, financial institutions and development partners to treat this access as part of a broader agricultural development strategy. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search3"]} />
Quality Seeds and Suitable Equipment
Another part of the organisation’s appeal concerns access to quality seeds and farming equipment suited to women’s needs.
Seeds influence crop establishment and production potential, while equipment can affect the amount of labour and time required to complete farming tasks.
For smallholder farmers, the ability to obtain appropriate inputs at the right time can be important to managing production schedules.
Yet farmers also need reliable information about the suitability of particular inputs for their crops, location and growing conditions. Access to quality seeds must be accompanied by appropriate guidance on their use and the agricultural practices required to support healthy crop development.
SWOFON has called for gender-friendly equipment, signalling that the design and accessibility of machinery should be considered when agricultural support programmes are developed.
Equipment that is too costly, difficult to operate or unsuitable for the scale of a farmer’s activities may offer limited practical benefit.
Support programmes could therefore consider a range of arrangements, including shared machinery, cooperative ownership, local service providers and equipment hire, where these approaches are appropriate to the needs of participating farmers.
Such arrangements may allow farmers to use equipment without each individual needing to purchase and maintain expensive machinery.
Any programme would still need to address operating costs, maintenance, spare parts, training and access during critical periods of the farming calendar.
The goal is not simply to distribute equipment but to ensure that farmers can use it effectively and sustainably.
SWOFON’s broader position is that women should have access to productive resources that enable them to improve their operations and participate more fully in the agricultural economy. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
Irrigation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
The 2026 theme, “Rural Women Farmers Caring for Mother Nature,” places environmental sustainability and the relationship between agriculture and natural resources at the centre of the observance.
SWOFON’s call for irrigation and climate-smart technologies also points to the importance of helping farmers manage production risks associated with changing weather conditions and water availability.
Agriculture depends on natural systems, including rainfall, soil quality and water resources. When these conditions become less predictable, farmers may find it harder to plan planting and harvesting activities.
Irrigation can provide a means of supplying water where natural rainfall is insufficient, but the suitability of an irrigation system depends on local conditions, water availability, cost and the crops being cultivated.
For small-scale producers, the initial cost of equipment and the resources required to operate and maintain it can be significant barriers.
Climate-smart approaches may include practices and technologies designed to improve productivity while supporting adaptation to climate risks and reducing avoidable environmental damage.
The most appropriate options will vary between communities. A farming area with reliable access to water may have different priorities from a location where water is scarce or infrastructure is limited.
Agricultural extension services can help farmers assess the options available to them and understand how to apply suitable methods.
SWOFON’s request is for rural women farmers to have better access to climate-smart technologies and irrigation, alongside other resources that can strengthen their productivity and livelihoods. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
Investment in these areas would need to be supported by practical planning, training and maintenance arrangements. Providing technology without ensuring that farmers can operate it or obtain necessary repairs may limit its long-term usefulness.
The challenge for policymakers is to connect environmental objectives with the practical needs of farmers whose livelihoods depend on agricultural production.
Better Extension Services and Agricultural Information
Agricultural extension services help connect farmers with information about improved practices, crop management, soil health, pest control, livestock care and other aspects of production.
SWOFON has called for improved extension services for rural women farmers, placing access to agricultural knowledge alongside access to land, finance and equipment.
Information can influence decisions throughout the farming cycle, from selecting inputs and preparing farmland to managing pests and determining when produce is ready for harvest.
Farmers may also need guidance on storage, processing, marketing and compliance with relevant quality standards.
The value of extension services depends partly on whether the information is relevant to local farming conditions and reaches the people who need it.
Services that are difficult to access, delivered at unsuitable times or not tailored to the circumstances of small-scale farmers may fail to meet their intended purpose.
Strengthening access could involve more effective outreach, practical demonstrations, farmer groups and communication methods that allow producers to obtain useful information in a timely manner.
The details would need to reflect local needs and the capacity of agricultural agencies and service providers.
For women farmers, accessible extension services could help support better-informed decisions about production methods, input use and responses to agricultural challenges.
SWOFON has argued that such support should form part of the investment needed to strengthen the role of rural women in food production and rural development. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search3"]} />
Fair Markets and Competitive Prices
The organisation’s demands extend beyond the farm to the markets where women sell their produce.
A successful harvest does not automatically guarantee a good income. Farmers must be able to sell their goods at prices that cover production and marketing costs while providing a reasonable return for their work.
When access to buyers is limited, producers may have fewer options for negotiating prices. Transport difficulties, storage constraints and the need to sell perishable goods quickly can also affect bargaining power.
SWOFON has therefore called for fair markets, competitive prices and stronger value chains for agricultural commodities produced by women. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
Improved market access can involve several complementary measures. Farmers may benefit from better connections with buyers, more reliable market information, appropriate storage facilities and processing opportunities that allow produce to be handled or sold in different forms.
Cooperatives and other collective arrangements may also help some farmers coordinate production, share certain costs or engage with buyers more effectively. Their usefulness depends on transparent management, clear responsibilities and the circumstances of the members involved.
Processing can create additional opportunities, but it also requires suitable equipment, quality control, packaging, reliable energy and access to customers.
Market development should therefore be linked to realistic assessments of demand and the costs involved in bringing products to buyers.
For rural women, the objective is to ensure that increased effort and production can translate into more dependable earnings.
A stronger agricultural value chain can benefit farmers, processors, traders and consumers, but the distribution of those benefits matters. Women who contribute at the production and processing stages need opportunities to participate in the commercial decisions that affect their income.
SWOFON’s appeal asks policymakers and other stakeholders to consider these issues as part of a comprehensive approach to agricultural support.
Dedicated Budgetary Allocations and Accountability
A recurring element of SWOFON’s appeal is the need for adequate funding and dedicated budgetary allocations for smallholder women farmers.
The organisation wants recognition of women’s contribution to agriculture to be reflected in government spending decisions, not only in public statements.
Budgetary commitments are important because policies require resources to be implemented. Programmes intended to improve access to land, finance, equipment, irrigation or extension services need appropriate funding and clear implementation arrangements.
However, announcing a budget allocation is only one stage in the process. The eventual effect depends on whether funds are released, used for their intended purpose and directed towards the people the programme is meant to support.
SWOFON’s wider advocacy has also included calls for stronger public investment, budget accountability and inclusive agricultural policies. In September 2026, the organisation called for stronger investment and more accountable budgeting at a national campaign in Abuja. <Cite refs={["turn846821search3","turn846821search5"]} />
That earlier advocacy shows that the October 15 demand forms part of a continuing push for more consistent support for smallholder women farmers.
A dedicated funding approach would need clear objectives, eligibility criteria and ways to assess whether the intended beneficiaries are receiving support.
Public reporting could help establish what has been budgeted, what has been released and what services or resources have reached women farmers.
Monitoring should also consider the results of the investment. Depending on the programme, relevant measures could include participation, access to productive resources, use of equipment, market connections and changes in farm operations or income.
The organisation has not announced a specific funding amount or a detailed national expenditure plan in its October 15 appeal. Its demand is for governments to establish an investment framework that recognises the needs of rural women farmers and supports them on a sustained basis.
Greater Representation in Agricultural Policymaking
SWOFON has also called for greater representation of women farmers in policymaking.
The demand recognises that agricultural programmes can be more responsive when the people affected by them have meaningful opportunities to explain their needs and participate in decisions.
Women farmers may have direct experience of obstacles involving land access, input distribution, credit applications, equipment design and market participation.
Their involvement in policy discussions can help decision-makers understand how general programmes operate at the community level and where changes may be required.
Representation alone, however, does not guarantee that policies will change. Participation must be connected to transparent decision-making, clear responsibilities and a willingness by institutions to consider the concerns raised.
Consultations can also be more useful when they include farmers from different locations and production systems rather than relying on a narrow range of voices.
Rural women are not a single group with identical circumstances. Their needs may differ according to the crops they produce, the size of their farms, their access to transport and infrastructure, and the markets in which they operate.
A more inclusive approach would take those differences into account when designing and evaluating support programmes.
SWOFON’s appeal asks governments and other stakeholders to give women farmers a stronger voice in decisions affecting agriculture and food security. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
Why the Demand Matters for Food Security
Food security depends on the availability of food, people’s ability to access it and the reliability of supplies over time.
Agricultural production is central to that process, but food systems also depend on transport, storage, processing, distribution and the economic circumstances of households.
Women farmers contribute to several parts of this system. Their ability to cultivate land, obtain inputs and sell produce can affect their own livelihoods as well as the supply chains serving local communities.
Investing in women farmers is therefore not only a question of recognition or individual economic opportunity. It is also relevant to the wider goal of building a more productive and resilient agricultural sector.
When farmers can obtain appropriate resources and reach reliable markets, they have more opportunities to develop their operations. The extent of any resulting gains will depend on the crops involved, local conditions and how well support programmes are designed and implemented.
SWOFON has argued that investment in rural women should be viewed as an essential component of food security, rural development and women’s economic empowerment. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search3"]} />
The organisation’s position is consistent with the broader principle that agricultural development requires attention to the people who produce, process and distribute food, as well as to the infrastructure and institutions that support them.
For policymakers, the challenge is to ensure that programmes are practical, properly funded and accessible to the farmers they are intended to assist.
For women farmers, the immediate concerns remain the resources and conditions needed to maintain production, improve earnings and respond to changing agricultural circumstances.
The Role of Government, Financial Institutions and Development Partners
SWOFON has called for action from several groups, including federal and state authorities, the National Assembly, financial institutions, development partners and civil society organisations.
The breadth of the appeal reflects the fact that no single institution controls every resource needed to strengthen rural agriculture.
Federal and state governments can establish policies, allocate public funds and support agricultural services within their respective responsibilities.
The National Assembly has a role in legislation, budgetary oversight and scrutiny of public programmes.
Financial institutions can assess ways of providing suitable financial products to agricultural producers, while development partners may support technical assistance, training or other initiatives within their programmes.
Civil society organisations can help communicate farmers’ experiences, monitor commitments and support dialogue between communities and decision-makers.
Coordination is important because disconnected interventions may leave farmers facing the same obstacles even when individual projects achieve some progress.
For instance, financing may be less effective if a farmer cannot obtain secure access to land. Improved production may deliver limited financial benefits if market access and storage remain inadequate.
Likewise, equipment support may be difficult to sustain without training, repairs and reliable access to spare parts.
A coordinated approach would examine how these needs interact and determine which interventions are most appropriate for different communities.
SWOFON’s October 15 appeal calls for stronger collaboration to amplify the voices of rural women and turn advocacy into lasting change. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
What the Proposed Annual Celebration Could Include
Ojo proposed that October 15 should include recognition of outstanding women farmers, exhibitions of agricultural produce, policy dialogues and concrete commitments to improve livelihoods.
These activities could provide opportunities to showcase women’s work and connect farmers with institutions that influence agricultural policy, finance and markets.
Exhibitions could give participating farmers an opportunity to display their produce and engage with buyers, processors or other agricultural businesses. Policy discussions could provide a platform for identifying practical barriers and reviewing proposed responses.
Recognition of successful farmers could also highlight different approaches to production, processing and marketing, although such recognition would be most useful when accompanied by opportunities for learning and wider participation.
The organisation’s proposal goes beyond the event itself. Ojo said the observance should produce measurable progress and accountability rather than remain a ceremonial exercise. <Cite refs={["turn846821search0","turn846821search2"]} />
That would require clear commitments from participating institutions and follow-up mechanisms to assess whether promised actions have been implemented.
For example, an institution making a commitment to improve access to finance could later report on the programme established, its eligibility rules and the number of farmers served. A public agency promising better extension services could report on its outreach activities and how farmers can access support.
These are examples of possible accountability measures, not commitments that the government has already announced.
The effectiveness of any annual celebration would ultimately depend on whether it helps maintain attention on the needs of rural women throughout the year.
From Public Recognition to Measurable Progress
The demand from SWOFON comes at a time when agricultural policy discussions increasingly emphasise productivity, food security, climate resilience and the importance of effective support systems for farmers.
Yet the organisation’s message is that these objectives must be linked to the conditions facing rural women who carry out agricultural work.
Secure land access, affordable finance, suitable equipment, quality inputs, irrigation, extension services and reliable markets are interconnected needs. Addressing only one may not be enough to remove the barriers limiting a farmer’s ability to expand production or improve earnings.
The organisation is also asking for dedicated budgetary support and stronger representation in policymaking, so that the needs of women farmers are considered when decisions are made.
No new national investment amount, detailed implementation timetable or comprehensive package of government measures was announced in the reports covering Ojo’s October 15 appeal.
The immediate development is therefore a call for policy action, funding and recognition from the organisation representing small-scale women farmers.
The next stage would be to determine whether federal and state authorities, lawmakers and other stakeholders respond with specific programmes, budgetary commitments or policy changes.
The public will also need information about how any resulting measures are implemented and whether rural women farmers can access the support provided.
Conclusion
Rural women farmers have renewed their call for Nigeria to establish an annual national celebration and a dedicated investment plan that recognises their contribution to agriculture and food security.
Through the October 15 appeal, SWOFON has asked the Federal Government, state governments and the National Assembly to move beyond public appreciation and provide practical support for women working across the agricultural value chain.
Its priorities include secure land rights, affordable financing, quality seeds, gender-friendly equipment, climate-smart technologies, irrigation, better extension services, fair markets and dedicated budgetary allocations.
The organisation also wants women farmers to have a stronger voice in agricultural policymaking and greater opportunities to benefit from the value chains connected to their produce.
The appeal highlights the importance of connecting recognition with practical measures that respond to the needs of farmers and support the wider agricultural economy.
Whether the proposal produces lasting change will depend on the actions taken by public institutions and other stakeholders, the resources committed and the transparency of implementation.
For Nigeria’s rural women farmers, the central demand is clear: recognition should be accompanied by the tools, opportunities and investment required to sustain their work and strengthen their livelihoods.
The International Day of Rural Women provides a moment to draw attention to that demand. The lasting test will be whether the concerns raised on October 15 lead to measurable improvements in the conditions under which women produce, process and market food across the country.
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