SWOFON Want Improved Provision in Extension Services

The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), has called for the urgent need to improve investment in the provision of enhanced and effective extension services.

This will ensure effective access to extension services for smallholder women farmers across the country, the said.

In a communique issued at the end of the 2019 National annual farmers forum organized by SWOFON in Abuja at the weekend, the National President of SWOFON, Mary Afan said such investment will need to target the recruitment, training,and deployment of extension services personnel and equip them with the necessary means to deliver on their mandate.

She also said it will also strengthen advocacy skills by the women farmers, adding that there is need for deliberate and improved investment in research and development.

She further explained that they converged to provide an avenue for smallholder women farmers to interact with duty bearers and key stakeholders including donors in the agriculture sector on enhanced participation and involvement of smallholder women farmers in agriculture policies and programmes.

“To strengthen accountability of leadership and members of SWOFON at the National and state levels on SWOFON organisational processes and systems.

“To enhance the capacity of Smallholder Women Farmers in Nigeria for continued advocacy for improved farmers and citizens participation in budget processes and Procedures.

“To provide an opportunity for smallholder women farmers to effectively push their demands through the media,” she said.

Also, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi who was represented by the Director Organisation Effectiveness ActionAid, Funmi Oyefusi observed that there are good accountability processes within SWOFON and that they are proud of its leadership.

The National Annual Farmers Forum is Organized by SWOFON and supported by ActionAid under the ActionAid Public financing For Agriculture Budget (PFA) Project.

JAP Network  2019