The Ogun Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, on Friday in Abeokuta said women and youths’ inclusion in agriculture was essential in achieving sustainable development.
Owotomo who spoke during a meeting with the management of Live and Peace Development Organisation, said such inclusion would further promote gender equality and enhance food security.
He pointed out that women and youths play crucial roles in ensuring food security, both at home and at the community level.
“Organising capacity-building will improve their practices in agriculture and give them more knowledge in sustainable farming,” the Commissioner said.
He assured that the state government would continue to sustain a gender-sensitive agriculture policy to encourage more women and youths in agriculture.
Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, noted that supporting women and youths’ inclusion would empower them.
”It will also promote gender equality in the agriculture sector,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Segun Ojo, Programme Manager of Live and Peace Development Organisation, explained the rationale behind initiating the programme.
”It was initiated to create a dedicated budget line for small-holder women-farmers in the ministries of Agriculture in the South-West states.” he said.
Ojo however noted that Ogun had achieved a lot in terms of agriculture.
He said that the existing policy would also be reviewed and updated to ensure a seamless implementation of the policy.
The Programme Manager added that the small-holder woman-farmer would also be integrated into the organised private sector in the six South-West states.(NAN)
