The All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN is in crisis. The crisis is not about limited farming inputs, insecurity or absence of funding, though all these factors remain present dangers for farming and food production in the country. Rather, the crisis that has bedevilled the association stems from the disagreement among its members. This has led to the decision of the women’s wing, known as the Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative, NWAPDI, to announce that it had withdrawn from the umbrella body. This was made known in Abuja by the National Coordinator of NWAPDI, Omolara Svensson.
According to her, though the decision was not easy, it was endorsed by all the members. She said they endorsed it because they believe that it was necessary to shape the focus and growth of the women farmers across all the sub-national governments and the Federal Capital Territory. So, how is the women’s body to be distinguished from its erstwhile parent organisation? Svensson said “Unlike AFAN and similar organisations, NWAPDI is uniquely focused on empowering and supporting women in agriculture across Nigeria.”
She said further, “Our mission is to ensure that women have a significant and influential role in shaping the agricultural landscape of our country.” While speaking on why it was difficult to achieve that under the umbrella of the association the women’s leader said, “We observed a persistent lack of meaningful inclusion and recognition of women within AFAN, undermining our core objectives and the progress we strive to achieve.”
These are what they meant to correct, as according to her, “These internal conflicts have made it increasingly challenging for NWAPDI to fulfil its mandate under such circumstances. Svensson went further, “As of today, NWAPDI stands as the only registered and authorised women-only agricultural initiative in Nigeria. This position underscores our commitment to creating a focused, inclusive, and progressive platform for women in agriculture”.
She added that with the decision to operate independently, the women will through NAWPDI effectively advocate for the interests of women farmers and drive meaningful change within the agricultural sector.
Svensson concluded by stressing NAWPDI’s commitment to its vision of a robust and inclusive agricultural sector where women will play a unique and dependable role that is capable of bringing development to agriculture, thus helping to boost the effort of the government at all levels to effectively fight food insecurity.
