Federal Govt Unveils Revised Gender Policy To Boost Inclusive Agrifood Systems

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with development partners, has validated the Revised National Gender Policy on Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nigeria (NGPAST).

This was part of efforts to deepen gender inclusion and strengthen food security across the country.

The policy unveiled in Abuja is expected to drive reforms to make Nigeria’s agrifood systems more resilient, inclusive, and gender-responsive.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, described the revised policy as a practical framework that would guarantee equitable access to agricultural resources, opportunities and decision-making processes for both women and men.

Kyari said the initiative marked a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive, productive and sustainable agricultural sector.

He noted that agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, employment generation and food security objectives. Still, he expressed concern that persistent gender disparities continue to hinder the full participation of many Nigerians, particularly women who play vital roles across the agrifood value chain.

According to him, the policy would strengthen the integration of gender-responsive approaches into agricultural programmes and interventions, which he described as critical to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

The minister also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including ActionAid Nigeria, AGRA and GIZ, towards the development of the policy document.

He urged government institutions, private sector actors, and development stakeholders to mainstream the policy into their programmes, budgets, and implementation frameworks. He assured that the ministry would establish strong monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure measurable outcomes.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the ministry’s interventions were aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the agricultural sector.

He disclosed that the ministry was developing a standard framework to ease agricultural operations and promote food security, with an emphasis on inclusiveness for women and youths across agricultural ecosystems.

Abdullahi further revealed that the ministry, in collaboration with the office of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has continued to promote the “Every Home a Garden” initiative, alongside nutrition and home economics knowledge transfer programmes being implemented at state and local government levels under the Renewed Hope Initiative.

He said flagship interventions, such as the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Programme, had prioritised inclusiveness, with women farmers among the first beneficiaries.

According to him, the Renewed Hope Cooperative Revamp Programme was also designed to expand access to agricultural support services for women, youths and smallholder farmers nationwide.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, represented by the Director of Farm Input Support Services, Mr Abana Waziri Abba, said the revised policy would address major challenges affecting gender inclusion and productivity in the agricultural sector.

He explained that the framework would improve coordination, enhance access to farm inputs and strengthen the participation of vulnerable groups in agribusiness activities across the country.