Gov Sani Says Women Empowerment Drives Mechanized Agriculture Growth

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has emphasized that empowering women with mechanized farming tools is essential for boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and expanding economic opportunities nationwide.

Speaking in Kaduna during the International Women’s Day event organized by the Women in Mechanized Agriculture Association (WIMA), and represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, Governor Sani described the gathering as a reflection of a “quiet revolution” led by women across farms, markets, and agribusiness centers.

According to the Governor, mechanization is transforming agriculture globally, and Nigeria must adopt modern farming technologies to remain competitive and meet increasing food demands. He stressed that mechanization extends beyond machinery, noting that it enhances efficiency, reduces labor burdens, increases productivity, and opens new economic opportunities for farmers, particularly women.

Governor Sani highlighted the dual responsibilities often carried by women farmers, balancing both household duties and farm work, and observed that access to mechanized equipment could significantly ease their workload while improving productivity and income. He reaffirmed that agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, with women playing pivotal roles throughout the value chain, from production and processing to marketing and distribution.

Despite their contributions, many women farmers face challenges including limited access to land, finance, technology, and mechanized services, which continue to impede their productivity. The Governor assured that the Kaduna State Government remains committed to supporting women and youth in agriculture through policies and investments designed to promote agribusiness development and access to modern farming technologies.

Aisha Yakubu Bako, President of WIMA, noted that the association, founded in 2019, was created to provide mechanization services while empowering women as service providers. She revealed that WIMA has expanded from six founding members to nearly 2,900 women delivering services such as ploughing, harvesting, threshing, irrigation pumping, drying, and crop spraying across several states.

Kator Abagu, representing PropCom Plus, added that the programme has partnered with WIMA to establish solar-powered mechanization hubs and introduce climate-smart agricultural technologies aimed at improving the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.