By Chinedum Treasure
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP) has called for increased support for women farmers, describing them as critical to food security and national development.
Anambra Coordinator of IFAD-VCDP, Dr Deborah Onyefulu, made the call on Tuesday in Awka during the commemoration of the 2026 International Year of Women Farmers.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Anambra Ministry of Agriculture, was themed, “Investing in Women Agrifood Systems and Securing the Future for Resilience.”
Onyefulu said supporting women farmers was not a favour but an investment in development, food security, stronger families and communities.
She called for improved access to land, finance, modern technology, agricultural inputs, markets, training and decision-making opportunities for women farmers.
According to her, women play vital roles across the agricultural value chain, from cultivation and harvesting to processing, preservation and marketing.
“When a woman farmer has access to land, she has a stronger foundation on which to build a future,” she said.
Onyefulu disclosed that the programme currently has more than 13,000 farmers across nine participating Local Government Areas in Anambra State. They include Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North, Orumba South, Orumba North, Ihiala, Ogbaru and Aguata.
She also urged young women and girls to embrace agriculture as a profession, business and avenue for innovation and leadership.
Anambra Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Ben Chuks Odoemelam, described women as “the wealth of the nation,” assuring that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo would continue supporting women farmers.
Odoemelam said the state government was investing in agriculture while addressing challenges involving access to land, finance and climate change.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, urged women to participate in agriculture regardless of their career paths, saying it would promote independence and self-reliance.
Representing the VCDP Women Farmers Network, Mrs Uju Nwankwo appreciated IFAD-VCDP and the state government for supporting women farmers through entrepreneurship training, farm inputs, access to land and loans.
The event featured an exhibition of agricultural produce and products, as well as awards for outstanding female farmers in the state.
Tags: Women Farmers, Agriculture, IFAD-VCDP, Anambra
