by Dayo Emmanuel
The Advocates for Sustainable and Inclusive Community Development (ASICD) has concluded a one-day workshop in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, aimed at amplifying the voices of women farmers in the ongoing development of the state’s Climate Action Plan.
The event brought together representatives of women farmers, government officials, civil society organisations, academics, and other stakeholders to share experiences and create a framework for inclusive climate governance.
Sponsored by Urgent Action Fund Africa, the workshop also featured inputs from government ministries, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), academics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State University and the civil society.
Amplifying the Voices of Women Farmers
Executive Director of ASICD, Chioma Otugo, stressed the importance of involving women in climate policy formulation, noting that any framework without their contributions would be incomplete. “This workshop is timely and necessary because women must not be excluded from climate policy decisions that directly affect their livelihoods,” Otugo said.
She emphasised that ASICD’s mission is to amplify the voices of women and ensure their perspectives are included in governance, especially in climate policy. “We organised this workshop to ensure the inclusion of women farmers’ voices in the Osun State Climate Action Plan so that they will not be left out,” she explained.
A keynote presentation at the workshop highlights the “Economic Opportunities in the Agricultural Value Chain in Osun State,” laying the foundation for participatory group sessions and validation of rural women’s perspectives on climate impact.
Government Backs Women’s Inclusion
The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, represented by the Director of Climate Change and Renewable Energy, Mr. Ogunleye Samuel, welcomed the initiative and commended Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to addressing climate change issues, particularly those affecting women farmers.
Ogunleye highlighted that the state government is committed to a participatory process for drafting the Climate Action Plan.
“A sustainable climate action plan cannot be developed in isolation. It must incorporate the experiences, needs, and aspirations of every segment of society—especially women farmers who account for over 75% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria,” he noted.
He also addressed key challenges women face, including land tenure insecurity, limited access to credit, poor market access, lack of mechanisation, and exposure to climate-related losses. “We must actively involve women in shaping policies. Their participation is not just about being heard; it’s about being influential,” he said.
Ministry Perspectives on Climate Inclusion
The Ministry of Innovation, Science, Technology and Digital Economy, represented by Deputy Director Bunmi Adeloye, stressed that the climate action plan would be incomplete without the input of women. “Women are on the frontlines of climate impact. Their insights are indispensable,” she noted.
Similarly, Dr. Omolola Adeagbo, Program Officer on Climate Change from the Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of listening to rural women farmers. “We must commend ASICD for this initiative. These women’s stories are essential in creating a practical and effective climate policy,” she said.
Mrs. Lola Adewale, Director of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, stated, “Climate action must be inclusive to be effective. The unique struggles of women farmers must be addressed.”
CSOs, NEPC, and Stakeholders Speak
Civil society voices also reinforced the message of inclusion. A representative from SHEAD Centre, an NGO focused on social development, said, “Women are not only stakeholders; they are decision-makers. A climate policy that excludes them will be flawed from inception.”
Mr. Opeyemi Ajala, from the Osun State office of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), educated participants about the “Women in Export” initiative under the NEPC.
Ajala, who represented the NEPC Osun State Coordinator, Benson Oseni, encouraged female farmers to register with NEPC to benefit from non-oil export promotion programs. “NEPC is here to help. There are many support services available, and you are eligible,” he assured.
Farmers Share Realities from the Fields
The workshop featured firsthand accounts from women farmers battling climate change, financial constraints, gender discrimination, and security challenges.
Chief (Mrs.) Janet Olayemi, leader of smallholder female farmers in Osun State, praised the state’s efforts in addressing the menace of herdsmen. “The situation has improved, thanks to our former and current governors. There is now some compensation and a sense of vigilance among our people,” she stated.
Alhaja Salami Olubukola Bamidele, a mechanised farmer who started as a peasant farmer over 30 years ago, shared her harrowing experience with crop failure and insecurity.
“Last year, I lost millions of Naira due to climate-related crop failure. My 30 acres of rice yielded only 300 kilograms; 20 acres of maize gave just 800 kilograms due to insufficient rainfall,” she lamented.
To mitigate future losses, she has considered irrigation but is constrained by finance. “I’ve applied for loans to install boreholes and switch to more reliable labour options by employing resident workers. But money is the issue,” she said.
Her ordeal with herders highlighted the precariousness of farming in the state. “I lost five acres of maize to cattle grazing last year. Thankfully, Amotekun corps helped me arrest the culprits and ensured some compensation,” she narrated. “But unless you catch them in the act, there’s no justice. That’s why I’m planning to station vigilantes on my farm full-time.”
Her testimony echoed broader concerns shared in the workshop—including lack of access to climate-smart technologies, gender discrimination, loan denial, labour shortages from youth migration to cybercrime and commercial motorcycle riding, and declining soil fertility.
Next Steps
The workshop concluded with specific recommendations from the participants, which will be compiled into a position paper to be submitted to the Osun State government. A communique was adopted and among the 17 actionable points were: provision of low-interest loans, climate-friendly pesticides, improved storage facilities, female-focused extension services, gender-sensitive platforms for policy involvement, and long-term climate adaptation strategies.
“There is no climate justice without gender inclusion,” Otugo reiterated in her closing remarks.
The event marked a critical milestone in ensuring that women farmers in Osun State are not just passive recipients of government policies but are recognised as active contributors to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
As the state prepares to finalise its Climate Action Plan, the voices raised at the workshop highlight one message: climate policy must reflect the realities and resilience of women on the frontlines of food production and climate impact.
