Stakeholders have called for an inclusive, community-driven review of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture to enhance food security and rural development.

The call was made during a policy review meeting held over the weekend in Ikeja, Lagos, aimed at updating the existing framework to reflect the evolving realities of farmers, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.

Chairperson of the National Gender Steering Committee and representative of ActionAid Nigeria, Azubike Nwokoye, emphasised the need to revise the policy to address current challenges such as insecurity, climate change, and inflation.

“The existing policy has been in place for nearly six years and no longer reflects today’s realities. For it to be effective, its implementation must go beyond Abuja and be decentralised to the states,” he said.

Nwokoye, who was represented by Blessing Akhile, added that the final draft would be presented at the National Council on Agriculture in September, with the aim of securing nationwide approval and implementation across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In her remarks, Co-founder of Leonard and Nkiruka Okonkwo Foundation (LANOF), Nkiruka Okonkwo, stressed the importance of including the voices of marginalised groups, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in the policy-making process.

Okonkwo noted that associations such as AFAN, SWOFON, YOFIN and YFAM are already engaged in the process, noting that steps have been taken to ensure that farmers without access to digital platforms can still participate meaningfully.

She urged training group leaders within farming communities as local extension champions to improve access to information and essential services.

On her part, the Assistant Director of Gender, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Chioma Amechi, acknowledged the need for the policy to reflect the unique agricultural realities of each region.

She explained that gathering feedback from all zones ensures a more responsive and comprehensive approach, and if properly implemented, would ensure a safer and more productive environment for farming activities.