By Aminu Dalhatu
The Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive Development Initiative (NWAPDI) has called on the Zamfara State Government to provide women farmers with access to land, agricultural extension services and modern farming facilities to boost food production and strengthen food security.
The State Coordinator of NWAPDI, Hajiya Shafa’atu Habibu Tsafe, made the call during the 2026 World Food Day celebration organised by the association at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters in Gusau.
According to her, NWAPDI will support 150 women farmers with various agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, seedlings, insecticides, and farm-processing equipment, among others, to enhance their farming activities and improve agricultural productivity during the Programme.
Hajiya Shafa’atu appealed to the wife of the Zamfara State Governor to support the association with a training centre for its members, a greenhouse for nurturing seedlings and vehicles to facilitate its agricultural activities across the state.
The coordinator explained that, the 2026 World Food Day theme, “Innovative Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” highlighted the importance of practical innovations in agriculture, particularly those adopted by women and young people to improve food production and preserve resources.
She identified the use of potato and yam peels to feed goats and other small ruminants as an innovative way of reducing agricultural waste, while encouraging young livestock farmers to use weighing scales to determine the actual weight of their animals and avoid being cheated by traders.
Hajiya Shafa’atu further stressed that NWAPDI had introduced several initiatives to support women farmers in Zamfara State, including community gardens where women cultivate tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and sweet potatoes during the dry season.
The coordinator disclosed that, the association had also supported 95 women across the state’s 14 local government areas through the distribution of small ruminants.
She attributed the reduction in livestock mortality from about 50 per cent to below 10 per cent to improved animal health practices, particularly vaccination, emphasized the need to embrace scientifically proven veterinary interventions.
On nutrition, she highlighted the association’s efforts to promote a four-star diet by encouraging households to combine sweet potatoes, goat milk, green vegetables and tomatoes to provide children with nutritious meals using locally available agricultural produce.
The NWAPDI coordinator called on the state government to provide land for women farmers, proposing that, at least half an acre be allocated to groups of 20 women, particularly in communities around dams, to support dry-season farming.
She also urged the government to deploy agricultural extension officers to guide farmers on improved farming techniques, crop management and sustainable agricultural practices.
Hajiya Shafa’atu encouraged women farmers to preserve seeds in bottles using ash, produce compost from goat dung and save at least 500 naira weekly through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to finance future farming activities.
She advised young people to regard agriculture as a viable business, particularly through livestock fattening, which she described as an opportunity to generate income and contribute to food security.
Also Speaking, the First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Hurriya Dauda Lawal, commended women farmers in the state for their contributions to agricultural development and food security.
Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal expressed satisfaction with the quality and variety of agricultural produce displayed by the farmers, described their dedication, hard work and productivity as encouraging and signs of progress in the state’s agricultural sector.
She said the exhibition demonstrated the growing commitment of women to farming and their important role in improving household livelihoods, strengthening food security and contributing to economic development.
Hajiya Hurriya noted that, she had attended a similar agricultural exhibition organised by the Nigerian Association of Women in Agriculture (NAWIA) two days earlier, where women farmers also showcased their produce.
She commended the NWAPDI State Coordinator, Hajiya Shafa’atu Habibu Tsafe, for her commitment, hard work and dedication to supporting women farmers and promoting agricultural development in Zamfara State.
The First Lady also praised her husband, Governor Dauda Lawal, for placing farmers’ welfare among the priorities of his administration, noting that, the provision of agricultural grants, fertiliser and other support measures reflected the government’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Hajiya Hurriya urged them to make judicious use of the farm inputs distributed at the event to improve their farming activities, increase yields and generate better incomes for their families.
During the event, women farmers showcased various agricultural produce, locally prepared foods, drinks and other delicacies while the wife of the Governor toured the exhibition stands to inspect the displayed items and appreciate the efforts of the women farmers.
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to raise awareness of hunger, promote food security and encourage action towards building sustainable food systems.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
