Gombe State Government Reiterates Commitment to Supporting Women Farmers

Strategic Insights -

The Gombe State Government has reiterated its commitment to sustaining support for women farmers in the state, with the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Mr. Barnabas Malle, lauding their contributions to boosting food security. The government has promised to continue providing support to the women farmers, who have made immense contributions to the federal and state government's efforts in boosting food security. However, the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has raised concerns over the 3.45% budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector, which they believe poses a threat to food security. The group has also expressed concern over the downward trend in budgetary allocation to SWOFON, with a 40% reduction from N50 million in 2024 and a 57% drop from N70 million in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gombe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women farmers in the state, recognizing their significant contributions to boosting food security.
  • The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Barnabas Malle, has promised to continue providing support to women farmers, including addressing their demands and budgetary allocations.
  • The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has raised concerns over the low budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector, at 3.45% of the state's budget.
  • The group has criticized the N30 million allocated to SWOFON in 2025, representing a 40% reduction from N50 million in 2024 and a 57% drop from N70 million in 2023.
  • The group has urged the state government to tackle post-harvest losses, which they describe as a major constraint in the agricultural value chain for smallholder women farmers.
  • The advocacy visit was supported by the Hope Foundation for the Lonely and ActionAid Nigeria.

Statistics:

  • 3.45%: The budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector, which the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has criticized as too low.
  • N30 million: The allocation to SWOFON in 2025, representing a 40% reduction from N50 million in 2024 and a 57% drop from N70 million in 2023.
  • 40%: The reduction in budgetary allocation to SWOFON from N50 million in 2024 to N30 million in 2025.
  • 57%: The drop in budgetary allocation to SWOFON from N70 million in 2023 to N30 million in 2025.

Sources:

  • Voice of Nigeria, "Gombe State Government Reiterates Commitment to Supporting Women Farmers"
  • Hope Foundation for the Lonely and ActionAid Nigeria (supporting organizations for the advocacy visit)