Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has called for stronger support for women involved in agribusiness, saying improved access to mechanised farming tools would significantly increase agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across Nigeria.
Truth Live News International learnt from Punch Metro that the governor made the remarks on Saturday, during the International Women’s Day celebration organised by the Women in Mechanised Agriculture Association in Kaduna.
Sani, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, described the growing involvement of women in agribusiness as a transformation taking place quietly across the country’s agricultural landscape.
“This gathering is not merely ceremonial. It symbolises a quiet revolution unfolding across our farms, markets and agribusiness hubs, a revolution powered by women,” he said.
According to the governor, the adoption of mechanised farming practices is rapidly reshaping agriculture globally, stressing that Nigeria must embrace modern agricultural technologies to remain competitive and meet rising food demands.
He explained that mechanisation does not simply involve the use of machines but also helps farmers improve efficiency and reduce the physical demands associated with traditional farming methods.
“Mechanisation is not just about machines; it is about improving productivity, increasing efficiency and reducing the drudgery associated with traditional farming methods,” Sani stated.
The governor also highlighted the unique challenges faced by women farmers, noting that many combine farming activities with household responsibilities. He said access to mechanised equipment would ease the burden while enabling them to expand production and earn more income.
“Women farmers frequently balance farm work with household responsibilities. Providing them with access to mechanised tools will reduce labour intensity and enable them to increase their output and income,” he said.
Sani further noted that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians, with women playing critical roles throughout the agricultural value chain, including production, processing, marketing and food distribution.
Despite these contributions, he observed that women farmers still encounter several obstacles, including limited access to land, financial resources, modern technology and mechanised services.
“These constraints continue to limit the productivity and potential of women farmers who are already making immense contributions to our food systems,” he added.
The governor assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue to introduce policies and investment initiatives aimed at supporting women and youths involved in agribusiness while expanding access to modern agricultural technologies.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Women in Mechanised Agriculture Association, Aisha Bako, said the organisation was founded in 2019 to provide mechanisation services to farmers while creating opportunities for women within the sector.
Bako explained that the association has grown significantly since its inception.
“We started with just six members in 2019, but today our membership has grown to about 2,900 women offering mechanised services such as ploughing, harvesting, threshing, drying, irrigation, pumping and crop spraying,” she said.
She added that the association remains committed to expanding opportunities for women in mechanised agriculture across the country.
Also speaking, Kator Abagu, a representative of PropCom Plus, said the organisation has partnered with the association to establish solar-powered mechanisation hubs and introduce climate-smart agricultural technologies.
According to her, the initiative is designed to increase productivity and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers nationwide.