Women empowerment key to mechanized agriculture growth – Gov Sani

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has said that empowering women with mechanized farming tools will accelerate agricultural productivity, improve food security and expand economic opportunities across Nigeria.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, spoke in Kaduna during the celebration of International Women’s Day organized by the Women in Mechanized Agriculture Association (WIMA).

He said the gathering was not merely ceremonial but symbolic of what he described as a “quiet revolution” taking place across farms, markets and agribusiness hubs, driven by women.

According to him, mechanization is transforming agriculture globally and Nigeria must embrace the shift to remain competitive and meet rising food demands.

The Governor noted that mechanization represents more than the use of machines, explaining that it improves productivity, enhances efficiency, reduces labour burdens and creates new economic opportunities for farmers, particularly women.

He added that women farmers often bear the dual responsibilities of farm work and household duties, stressing that access to mechanized equipment could significantly ease their workload while boosting productivity and income.

Sani said agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, with women playing critical roles across the value chain from production and processing to marketing and food distribution.

Despite their contributions, he noted that many women farmers still face barriers such as limited access to land, finance, technology and mechanised services, which continue to hinder their productivity.

The Governor said the Kaduna State Government remains committed to supporting women and youth in agriculture through policies and investments that promote agribusiness development and improve access to modern farming technologies.

Also speaking, President of the Women in Mechanized Agriculture Association (WIMA), Aisha Yakubu Bako, said the organization was established in 2019 to provide mechanization services to farmers while empowering women as service providers.

She said the association has grown from six members at inception to about 2,900 women who now provide mechanized farming services including ploughing, harvesting, threshing, drying, irrigation pumping and crop spraying across several states.

A representative of PropCom Plus, Kator Abagu, said the programme has partnered WIMA to establish solar-powered mechanization hubs and introduce climate-smart agricultural technologies aimed at improving the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Advertisement