AGRA backs revised gender policy implementation in agriculture

The Federal Government has launched the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nigeria and its Strategic Plan of Action for 2025–2030, aimed at promoting gender equity and inclusion in the nation’s agricultural sector.

The policy seeks to address longstanding disparities in access to land, finance, inputs, technology, extension services and markets, particularly affecting women, youths, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the policy as a major step towards building an inclusive and resilient agricultural sector.

Abdullahi said agriculture remained central to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth, but noted that gender inequality continued to limit the productivity of millions of Nigerians, especially women.

“The policy we are launching today provides a clear and practical framework to ensure equitable access to resources, opportunities and decision-making for both women and men,” he said.

He commended development partners, including AGRA, ActionAid Nigeria and GIZ, for supporting the development of the policy.

The minister stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on effective implementation across states and integration into government programmes and budgets.

Also speaking, the Country Director of AGRA pledged continued support for the implementation and domestication of the policy across Nigeria.

The director said the organisation remained committed to ensuring gender inclusion in Africa’s food systems transformation agenda.

“We are very happy to be part of this initiative. We cannot transform Africa’s food systems without ensuring that we enhance the inclusion of gender in our strategy,” he said.

He added that AGRA would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and state governments to ensure the policy was implemented at both state and local government levels.

“The journey has just started. We have a revised policy. One of our mandates will be how we support the implementation of this policy,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria and Chairman of the National Gender Steering Committee, Dr Andrew Mamedu, represented by Funmi Olukeye, described the policy as a landmark framework that places women, youths and persons with disabilities at the centre of agricultural development.

He called for stronger political commitment, financing and collective ownership to ensure the policy translated into measurable impact.

The revised policy is expected to guide gender-responsive planning, budgeting and programming in Nigeria’s agrifood sector over the next five years.