By Aminu Dalhatu
The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Hurriya Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting farmers and empowering women to enhance agricultural production and achieve food security.
She gave the assurance during the 2026 World Food Day celebration organised by the Nigerian Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWIA), held in Gusau, the Zamfara State Capital.
Hajiya Hurriya Dauda Lawal commended the association for its contributions to agricultural development and the economic empowerment of women, described the exhibition of agricultural produce and the participation of women farmers as evidence of their commitment to food security.
She also praised the State Coordinator of NAWIA, Hajiya Shema’u Mohammed Nalado, for her leadership and sustained efforts to empower women and promote agricultural development across the state.
The First Lady also commended Governor Dauda Lawal for supporting farmers through agricultural grants, fertiliser distribution and other interventions aimed at increasing food production and improving productivity.
She described farming as an important part of Zamfara State’s heritage and expressed the government’s determination to continue supporting farmers towards building a food-secure and prosperous state.
In her remarks, the State Coordinator of NAWIA, Hajiya Shema’u Mohammed Nalado, called on the Federal and State Governments, the Bank of Agriculture and development partners to provide women farmers with accessible loans, modern farming inputs and training to boost agricultural production.
She said women remained central to food security and agricultural development despite challenges, including insecurity, inadequate financing, limited access to modern farming equipment and the effects of climate change.
Hajiya Shema’u Mohammed Nalado disclosed that, NAWIA had more than three thousand women engaged in various agricultural activities across Zamfara State, including rice, millet, groundnut, poultry and vegetable production.
She further revealed that, the association had recently received accreditation to provide skills training for more women and youths, a development she said would expand opportunities in agricultural production and improve livelihoods.
The coordinator, however, identified inadequate storage and processing facilities, limited access to modern farming inputs and climate change as major challenges facing women farmers.
She appealed to relevant stakeholders to prioritise rural women farmers through financial assistance, improved agricultural inputs, training and other forms of support.
The World Food Day celebration featured an exhibition of agricultural produce by farmers from various local government areas of Zamfara State, showcasing their contributions to food production and agricultural development.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
