By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says empowering women with access to mechanised farming tools is essential to boosting agricultural productivity, improving food security, and expanding economic opportunities in Nigeria. The governor, represented by Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, spoke in Kaduna at an event organised by the Women in Mechanized Agriculture Association (WIMA) to mark International Women’s Day.
According to him, the event highlights the growing role of women in transforming agriculture through participation in farming, agribusiness and food systems.Sani said mechanisation is increasingly shaping modern agriculture worldwide and noted that Nigeria must adopt modern farming technologies to meet rising food demand.
He explained that mechanised equipment helps farmers increase efficiency, reduce labour demands and improve output. The governor added that such tools could significantly reduce the workload of women farmers who often combine farm work with household responsibilities.
Sani said the Kaduna State Government remains committed to policies and investments that support women and youth in agriculture, particularly by improving access to modern farming technologies and agribusiness opportunities.
Speaking at the event, WIMA President Aisha Yakubu Bako said the association was established in 2019 to provide mechanisation services while empowering women as agricultural service providers. She said the organisation has expanded from six members at inception to about 2,900 women offering services such as ploughing, harvesting, threshing, irrigation pumping and crop spraying across several states.
PropCom Plus representative Kator Abagu said the programme is partnering with WIMA to develop solar-powered mechanisation hubs and promote climate-smart farming technologies for smallholder farmers.
