By khalid Idris Doya
The United Nations (UN) reports that despite widespread rural poverty, smallholder agriculture produces nearly 80% of food in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting 2.5 billion people. Women comprise 70-80% of the agricultural labour force, including informal work, and handle most unpaid care and domestic tasks in rural households.
At the unveiling of rice milling machines in Bauchi State, Nigeria, UN Women Country Representative Beatrice Eyong emphasized the organization’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment through climate-smart agriculture.
“This collaboration with FOMWAN and WOWICAN aims to enhance women’s economic empowerment,” Eyong explained. “UN Women also supports rural women in Bauchi through biogas as an alternative cooking fuel, reducing deforestation and labour.”
This collaboration with FOMWAN and WOWICAN aims to enhance women’s economic empowerment
Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by Prof. Simon Madugu Yalams, stressed women’s crucial role in agricultural production for national food security.
The Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, noted that women cultivate 60% of arable land in Dass emirate, producing most food and cash crops.
