Stakeholders Seek Improved Access To Farmlands In Kaduna

Stakeholders have called on the government, traditional leaders and others to improve access to farmlands for women, youths and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

They said access to farmlands would address systemic constraints limiting the participation, productivity, and economic empowerment of women and youth in agriculture, while fostering sustainable livelihoods and resilient food systems.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a one-day policy roundtable meeting on sustainable access to farmland for women and youths in Kaduna State organised by Sahel Consulting in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and other consortium partners held in Kaduna on Friday.

The communique, signed by the director, Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ruth Madaki; director, Agricultural Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Kaduna and Vasty Zakaria Shamaki, emphasised that land ownership, rather than access alone, is critical for encouraging women’s long-term investment, productivity, and economic empowerment.

The communique said women’s access to and ownership of land remain significantly constrained by cultural norms, discriminatory inheritance practices, and systemic barriers that prioritise men and male children in land allocation and ownership.

According to the communique, traditional and religious leaders should foster community dialogue and support systems that create an enabling environment for women and other vulnerable groups to participate meaningfully in agricultural value chains and related economic activities, “especially promoting positive inheritance practices that give women the right to access and own lands”

“The participants resolved to call on government, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to play significant roles in improving access to lands for women and youths, because of the benefits it has for women. Stakeholders were advised to ensure that they take feedback to their various.

“Government should proactively strengthen communication and awareness efforts to ensure beneficiaries are informed about existing policies, programmes, and interventions that support women, youth and people with disability.

“Strengthen and enforce laws and policies on environmental conservation, particularly those regulating deforestation and indiscriminate tree felling.

“Traditional and Religious leaders should champion awareness and advocacy efforts that encourage the active participation of women in agriculture at the community level and help address negative perceptions and social norms that limit women’s engagement in farming.

“Women, youth, and PWD groups should strengthen collective action by forming and joining organised groups, associations, and cooperatives to enhance their advocacy efforts and improve access to farmland and agricultural opportunities,” the communique read.