Female Farmers Urge FG To Invest ₦15 Billion Annually To Increase IGR

News in brief:- Women farmers urge Nigerian states to invest ₦15 billion annually in agriculture to boost revenue and reduce poverty.- The association cited post-harvest losses, limited resources, and funding gaps as barriers to agricultural productivity. The Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON) has called on state governments to allocate at least ₦15 billion annually to agriculture. According to the group, this investment will significantly boost internally generated revenue (IGR) while addressing key challenges faced by farmers.

Why ₦15 billion investment matters

ActionAid Nigeria’s analysis highlights the economic potential of investing ₦15 billion annually in agriculture:

• Increased revenue: States like Katsina could generate ₦136.91 billion, Akwa Ibom ₦89.62 billion, and Ebonyi ₦94.60 billion in additional IGR.
• Job creation: Such investments could also reduce unemployment by funding irrigation systems, extension services, access to credit, and training programs.

Current challenges facing Nigerian farmers

SWOFON identified several barriers hindering agricultural productivity:

• Post-Harvest Losses: Nigeria loses ₦3.5 trillion annually, equivalent to ₦94.5 billion per state. Post-harvest losses reduce farmer incomes by 50%.
• Limited Access To Critical Infrastructures: Only 26% of farmers have processing facilities, 18% have storage facilities, and 21% have access to markets.
• Low Technology Adoption: Labour-saving tools and climate-resilient farming methods are scarce.

A call to action

The organisation emphasised that treating agricultural budgets as investments—not expenses—can transform Nigeria’s food systems. The group urged the federal and state governments to:

• Scale up public agricultural investment and ensure timely release of funds.
• Provide credit schemes with single-digit interest rates for women, youths, and disabled farmers.
• Establish small-scale modular processing and storage facilities in rural communities.

Farmers worldwide face challenges like post-harvest losses and limited access to resources. SWOFON’s recommendations, focusing on sustainable agriculture, offer a blueprint for governments seeking to revitalise their agricultural sectors.