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A coalition of Women farmers in Borno State has urged governments to invest in climate and agroecology-friendly initiatives to support rural dwellers, which will enhance the movement of farm produce and the value chain in the state.
Blessing Ifemenan, Program Advisor at ActionAid Nigeria, stated this during an event themed “Strengthening the Network of Actors for the Promotion of Agroecology,” organised by the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI) with support from ActionAid over the weekend.
She said the initiative aimed to create awareness about building a coordinated movement for sustainable farming, improving market access for agroecological products, and driving joint advocacy for supportive government policies.
Blessings said, “The essence of the initiative to strengthen the network of actors for promotion of agroecology, we have been training women farmers on climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture practices because climate change has come to have a weighty impact.
She added,” So we are looking at how people move away from harmful practices of farming to sustainable ways of engaging in organic farming, organic pesticides, and smart agriculture rather than harming the environment.
They noted that the lack of exposure to sustainable farming techniques, including soil management and water-efficient methods, has left smallholder women increasingly vulnerable to erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and recurrent flooding.
Aishatu Isa, who spoke on behalf of the group, said climate-related challenges have become more visible across Bama, Konduga, Gwoza and other farming communities, where yields continue to decline.
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“Our biggest challenge is that we lack the basic agro-ecological knowledge that can help us adapt to these climate conditions,”
She said. “Most women still depend on traditional practices that no longer work in this environment. We need training on soil health, improved seeds, composting and simple irrigation techniques.”
Another farmer, Sa’adatu Sani, lamented the absence of early-warning information and advisory services that could guide planting decisions and reduce crop losses.
“We want government and partners to come closer to the community level,” she said. “The climate is changing fast, but the support reaching women farmers is still too small.”
She commended CATAI and ActionAid for convening the training, describing it as timely and urging government agencies and organisations to create an enabling environment for female farmers who play a significant role in household food security.
The Project Lead for the Strategic Partnership Agreement II (SPA2), Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said the engagement was designed to strengthen the network of actors promoting agroecology in the state.
“This engagement serves as a learning hub, and we are targeting solutions that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially just,” he said.
According to him, improved agroecological knowledge among women farmers would enable them to produce a wider variety of nutritious and culturally appropriate food, reducing dependence on external markets and supporting more stable local food systems.
Abdulkadir called for a structured expansion of extension services across rural communities, emphasising that strengthening women’s knowledge of agroecology is crucial to enhancing food production and building resilience in a state affected by years of insurgency and climate shocks.
He also urged government agencies, development partners and research institutes to prioritise community-based training that would equip women with practical, climate-responsive skills needed to sustain farming and safeguard household food security.
