Osun Women Farmers Seek Separate Budget Allocation

A group of farmers in Osun State, Small Holder Women Farmers, has approached the government to demand a separate allocation for women in 2017 Appropriation Bill.
The farmers, including Women-in-Agriculture, FADAMA, Special People in Agric, Agbeloba, O-Robo farmers, Christian Association of Nigeria women farmers and Farmers’ Development Union, have approached the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, over their plights.
Led by Chief Janet Olaleye, who is their coordinator, the women asked the ministry’s acting permanent secretary, Dr. Isaac Aluko, to consider a portion for women when the 2017 budget will be presented to the appropriate authorities.
Olaleye, who presented the group’s Certificate of Incorporation under the Corporate Affairs Commission to the ministry as a duly registered body and recognised by the law, said any help for the women would serve the best interest of the state and the nation.
She added that for any state to record a huge success in its policies and programmes for agriculture, it was imperative that government begin to assist women whom she described as vulnerable in the course of carrying out farming activities.

The acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aluko, assured the women of presenting their demands to the appropriate quarters.
He reminded them of the economic challenges facing the state and the nation.
He acknowledged the significant women population in farming, expressing happiness that women have now come together as one interest group to acquaint the government with their needs and to support the vision of the Governor Rauf Aregbesola for food security.