Women in Agriculture: The Backbone of Nigeria’s Food System
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, we turn our attention to the women who form the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. From the outside, the sector may seem like a male-dominated field, but in reality, women, especially in rural Nigeria, play a leading role in food production. In Nigeria, women make up about 70% of the agricultural workforce and contribute to 80% of the country’s food production. They till the land, plant the seeds, harvest the crops, and ensure food reaches households across the nation.
Yet, despite their immense contributions, women in agriculture remain largely under-recognised and under-supported. Cultural norms, financial barriers, and outdated land ownership systems continue to limit their progress. According to a study, some of the main barriers include:
- Male-dominated traditions that place women in inferior positions;
- Social customs and labour divisions that keep women subordinate to men;
- The failure to recognise the economic value of women’s unpaid labour;
- A lack of confidence in women’s ability to advocate for their needs;
- Land tenure restrictions and limited access to agricultural loans.
The World Bank reports that women farmers in Nigeria produce 30% less per hectare than men due to these challenges. Limited access to fertilisers, modern tools, and productive land creates an unequal playing field. Yet, in the face of these barriers, women continue to push forward — with resilience, passion, and an unshakable belief in the power of their work. To mark this year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ which fortunately aligns with the Foundation’s theme for the year GROWING TOGETHER: Nurturing People, Planet, and Prosperity, we spoke to women working in agriculture to understand the challenges they face and, more importantly, to hear their solutions for a more inclusive and equitable sector.
Overcoming Challenges with Strength and Determination
Gladys Etema Igomu: “Agriculture is Beautiful”
Gladys Etema Igomu, a warm and determined woman with a strong presence, is the Farmers’ Hub Manager in Gwagwalada, Abuja. When she speaks, there is confidence in her voice — one that comes from years of navigating the challenges of being a woman in a leadership position in agriculture.
For Gladys, the biggest challenge was earning respect as a leader. “When you’re in a management position, and you have older men working under you, they look at you like, ‘Why should this woman be telling me what to do?’ Some see you as just another woman like their wives at home, so they struggle to take instructions.”
Her solution? Structure and discipline. “I created a work instruction manual. Everything was put in writing before anyone was employed. It set clear expectations and ensured that everyone followed the rules. Over time, things became smoother, and now we all work together — regardless of gender.”
Beyond managing the hub, Gladys takes pride in supporting smallholder women farmers. “Many women around us have their home gardens. They come here to buy seedlings — tomatoes, peppers, vegetables. We also grow cabbage in sacks and bags, so they don’t need large land to farm. We sell inputs and give farming advice.”
For her, agriculture is more than a job — it is a calling. “It gets tough sometimes, but if you are focused, in the end, it is worth it. Agriculture is beautiful, fulfilling, and lucrative.”
Ngueren Gabriel: “Never! I Love What I Do”
In Tyav Abuta, Buruku LGA, Tyowanye, Benue State, Ngueren Gabriel, a proud, hard-working farmer with a bright, determined smile, has been farming cassava, beans, maize, sorghum, and watermelon for years. Despite severe financial challenges and a lack of land access, she refuses to give up.
“Government interventions hardly reach me because I am a woman,” she shares in her native Tiv tongue, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and strength.
“I struggle to get money for fertiliser, and I don’t have land to expand my farm. As a woman, I am not as strong as the men, so I cannot clear large fields by myself. But I want to farm on big land.”
With a rest-assured smile she emphasised that she is not lazy but strongly believes that, with access to finance and mechanisation, she can expand her farm and improve her productivity to be comparable to, if not surpass, that of male farmers in her community.
When asked if she would ever consider leaving farming for another profession, she shook her head firmly and smiled. “Never! I love what I do. Through farming, I feed myself, my family, and my children. I have trained my children in school with the money I make from my farm.”
Her message to other women is simple but powerful: “Farming is a good thing, though it is very hard. If you want to join, join.”
Doofan Jessica Yiye: “Women Need More Opportunities”
For Doofan Jessica Yiye, the soft-spoken but deeply passionate hub manager at FATOM-SULE Farmers’ Hub in Bar Stream, Aliade, Benue State, being a woman in a leadership position is a rare privilege.
“I consider myself lucky to be a hub manager because not many women in farming get this opportunity,” she says with humility. “But I know so many women who have the skills, the passion, and the drive to succeed in agriculture. They just don’t have the opportunity.”
Her advice to young women? “Farming is not just about growing food — it is a business, and it can be a very successful one. Learn the right skills, seek out opportunities, and don’t be afraid to take risks.”
Accelerating Action: A Call for Change
Timothy Azakere: “When Women Thrive, Nations Prosper”
The Country Team Lead for the Foundation, Timothy Azakere, pointed that the Foundation is passionate about breaking down the barriers women face in agriculture.
“Women produce up to 70% of the food we consume, yet they continue to struggle with limited access to finance, land, and training. If we want to solve food insecurity and rural poverty, we must prioritise empowering women farmers.”
The Foundation is leading the charge by:
- Supporting 6,901 female farmers across 12 Nigerian states in 2024;
- Providing access to improved seed varieties, quality inputs, market access, and climate-smart training;
- Empowering 15 female agripreneurs to manage Farmers’ Hubs, giving them access to facilities, machinery, and professional networks.
Timothy’s message is clear:
“We don’t just talk about gender equality — we take action. But we must do more. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ is a call to scale our impact, transform more lives, and drive real change.”
The Future of Women in Agriculture: What Needs to Change
Women like Gladys, Ngueren, and Jessica are proving that women are not just farmers — they are leaders, innovators, and change-makers in agriculture.
To support these women truly, more needs to be done, like Timothy mentioned. They make up a large part of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, yet they continue to face major barriers that limit their growth.
One of the biggest challenges is access to land. Many women struggle to own or inherit farmland due to cultural and legal restrictions. Without secure land ownership, they are unable to expand their farms or invest in mechanisation, keeping their productivity low.
Another is financial support. Many women farmers find it difficult to secure loans or funding to buy essential inputs like fertilisers and improved seeds. Government interventions and financial aid often do not reach them, making it harder to scale up their farming activities.
Training and education are also critical. Many women lack access to modern farming techniques and agribusiness training, which limits their potential. With the right knowledge and resources, they could increase their yields, improve efficiency, and grow their businesses.
Women also need recognition and respect in leadership roles within agriculture. Many female farmers and agribusiness managers struggle to gain acceptance in male-dominated spaces. However, when given the opportunity, they demonstrate strong leadership, organisation, and the ability to manage farms effectively.
To ensure that more women succeed in farming and bridge these gaps, organisations like ours, governments, and financial institutions must step up and must:
- Improve access to land and remove legal and cultural barriers through policies;
- Provide financial support, including grants and low-interest loans for female farmers;
- Invest in education and mentorship to equip women with modern farming skills;
- Encourage more women to take leadership roles in agriculture;
- Encourage agritech and smart farming solutions to make farming easier and more profitable.
A Final Message for Young Women
To understand what future agripreneurs think about the future of agriculture for women, we spoke to Oyetade Oluwagbemisola Seyifunmi, a young, passionate agripreneur and final-year student in Crop Production and Soil Science at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria.
For Seyifunmi, agriculture is not just about growing food — it’s about innovation, sustainability, and empowerment. “The future of agriculture for women is bright if we take the right steps. More women are becoming interested in agribusiness, not just farming. We are looking at value addition, processing, and even agricultural technology. Women are not just working on farms — we are becoming CEOs, researchers, and decision-makers in the industry.”
Despite the opportunities, she acknowledges the challenges that remain. “There is still a gap in terms of access to funding and land. Many young women, including myself, have great ideas but struggle to find the capital to start. If more financial institutions and government programmes actively supported female agripreneurs, we would see a major transformation.”
Her advice to young women afraid to take the first step? “Believe in yourself and start small. Agriculture is changing, and women have a huge role to play. If you have a passion for it, take that first step — you never know how far it will take you!”
This International Women’s Day, let’s not just celebrate women in agriculture — let’s take action to support them. Because when women farmers rise, entire communities rise with them.
