5 things you need to know

Women have been a driving force-a miracle– in agriculture for thousands of years. However, especially in developing countries, women’s role in agriculture has been severely overlooked.

Women are the building blocks of our global food system. This means their role is vital to the establishment of food security everywhere.

In light of this, here are five things you probably didn’t know about women in Agriculture in Africa.

1. In Nigeria, women farmers contribute about 70 percent of food production in the country, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Women in agriculture produce more than 50% of the world’s food, and are responsible for some 60% to 80% of food production in developing countries.

This goes to show how women are important to food and nutrition security and sustainable development in Nigeria and globally.

We need to empower women through policies that would help them in growing, marketing, adapting, connecting and leading in Agriculture.

2. The United Nations agency in 2011 said although women make up 43 per cent of the global agricultural labour force, fewer women own, operate and manage valuable plots than men.

Women make crucial contributions in agriculture and rural enterprises in all developing country regions, as farmers, workers and entrepreneurs. Their roles vary across regions but, everywhere, women face gender-specific constraints that reduce their productivity and limit their contributions
to agricultural production, economic growth and the well-being of their families, communities and countries.

Women have much lower rates of property ownership than their male counterparts. In some countries, men’s landholdings average three times those of women, and in North Africa and Western Asia, women represent fewer than 5% of agricultural landholders.

Globally, 1.6 billion women rely on farming for their livelihoods, which means that women’s land ownership is vital.

3. In sub-Saharan Africa, women who are employed are more likely to be employed in agriculture than in other sectors

An estimated 54 million of Nigeria’s 78 million women are based in rural areas and make a living from land, according to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The numbers are likely to be higher today as that is based on a previous survey.
Almost 70 percent of employed women in Southern Asia and more than 60 percent of employed women in sub-Saharan Africa work in agriculture.

The number of women in agriculture has grown significantly over the last few decades. Today nearly 1 million women in the United States are farmers, making up nearly one-third of farmers.  From the field to the lab to the boardroom, women are paving the way for the future of agriculture. Not only do we at Livestock247 continue to carry out our vision to  to mitigate the spread of zoonotic diseases through the provision of fit-for-slaughter and traceable livestock to our customers, but we also work to pave way for women in the industry.

4. If women did have the same access to resources as men, estimates show that food production would increase by 20-30 percent, which would reduce the number of hungry people in the world by 100 to 150 million.

In the 97 countries assessed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, female farmers only received 5% of all agricultural extension services.

If women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30 percent.

This could raise total agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5–4 percent. Production gains of this magnitude could reduce the number of hungry people in the world by a whooping  12–17 percent!
Imagine what impact this would have on world hunger and the African economy in years to come.

5. Women are more likely to be affected by climate change, which is another reason why sustainable agricultural practices are crucial.

Changes in weather and temperature are expected to reduce crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa, and most of the farmers in this region are women.

Women and girls are the most likely to be responsible for gathering water and fuel. As resources become scarcer, they will have to walk farther every day, therefore sacrificing time for other tasks, education, and rest.

Women’s increased involvement in agriculture could have profoundly positive impacts.

Women are more likely to purchase organic food, think about food safety, and evaluate health, nutrition, and sustainability in making their dining decisions, according to the 2013 Food & Health Survey.

In conclusion, reducing the gender divide among African farmers using digital agriculture remains critical. Therefore, African countries are urged to address the persistent and systematic inequalit ies and infrastructural, policy, and strategic frameworks that disproportionately impact women’s contribution to Africa’s agricultural and food security systems using technological and innovative resources. These strategic frameworks can improve agribusiness opportunities, socio-economic development and alleviate hunger and poverty.
Thus, we’re very pleased to announce to you that, LivesTALK3.0 is back!!!

Join us at Livestalk 3.0 (The Conference by Livestock247.com) where a panel of leading Women Entrepreneurs and their Champions will be discussing Economic Development of Women in Africa: The Role of Agriculture.

Saturday 11th December 2021. 11:00 am WAT

It is a virtual and free conference, where you’ll learn a whole lot about the agriculture business and how women can be empowered!

Don’t miss out! Register here!

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