Stop Terrorizing Our Farmers, SWOFON Begs Herdsmen In Enugu

These were part of resolutions reached during on interface on the Assessment of Value Chain Development Programme on issues hindering the productivity of smallholder women farmers by SWOFON and Duty Bearers at Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu state.

“While there are many challenges affecting smallholder women farmers in the state, security is at the top.

“Herdsmen are roaming our lands freely, destroying our yields and raping our women who are often alone in the fields.

“Government must intensify its efforts in solving the security challenges in many parts of Enugu and ensure that farmers and their produce are protected at all times,” Ms. Lovelyn Ejim, Enugu state coordinator of SWOFON said. 

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Agricultural Development Programme, who was represented by Mr. Steven Ugwu, noted that the issue of security remains paramount, stating, “I guarantee that the government of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is not sleeping on this.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the lives and property of our farmers are safe. We appreciate SWOFON for this programme and promise continuous support and participation.”

According to him, “agriculture is the mainstay of our people and we are working on building more infrastructures such as roads, ensure supply of water and electricity and transportation to ease the burden on farmers and enable them maximize the full benefit of the chains.

During the interface, SWOFON assessed the follow government interventions in the agricultural sector to include; Anchor Borrowers Scheme, Fadama III- Additional Financing, Commercial Agricultural Development Programme, Agricultural Development Programme, Growth Enhancement Scheme, APPEALS – Agro Processing, Productivity & Livelihood Support and USAID Market II, to ascertain its impact in support and participation of smallholder women farmers.

From the assessment, the women rated the government good on inclusion, innovation and technology which has enabled them with the skills and technical knowledge in farming, while access to credit, access to market and private sector partnership must improve to better the lot of farmers.

The project in line with advocating for rights of smallholder women farmers in support and participation in the value chain development programme, also identified the gaps on policies and regulations.

It recommended synergy with the private sector to fill the gaps especially in the area of lack of processing facilities, transportation and access to market.

Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) is implementing the Voices of SWOFON on Malabo Declaration project with funding support from TrustAfrica to ensure the Nigerian government as a signatory is committed to the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme.

Photo caption: Cross section of smallholder women farmers and Duty Bearers at the meeting @ Udenu LGA, Enugu State.