Gombe Female Farmers Urge Govt For Increased Allocation

Women farmers in Gombe State, operating under the Smallholders Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), have called on the government to increase the allocation and release of the agriculture budget to 10%, aligning with the Malabo and Maputo Declaration.

This appeal was made during the 2025 consultative meeting on the agriculture budget in Gombe State, where SWOFON’s spokesman, Airudia Mamman, presented a communique.

Organized by SWOFON, Hope Foundation for the Lonely, and ActionAid Nigeria, the meeting drew at least 48 participants.

Mamman said, “The Gombe State Government should commit 10 per cent of the annual budget to the agricultural sector to meet the 10 per cent Maputo/Malabo Declaration required to support at least six per cent growth rate for the industry as postulated in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme framework.

“There is an observed instability in the trend regarding percentage allocation. This does not show a clear commitment to improvement, considering the role that agriculture plays in the economy. There is the need to progressively increase allocation to the sector in line with the CAADP benchmark as a demonstration of the state commitment to diversify the economy and create jobs through the sector.”

While urging the government on timely consideration of the agriculture budget, the group added, “We, therefore, call on Gombe State Executive Council and the House of Assembly to scale up public investment in agriculture; ensure timely consideration, passage, and total budget releases as a strategic approach to increase food production, reduce hunger, poverty and achieve the Maputo/Malabo Commitment. Allocating resources in terms of figures to budget lines, especially capital allocations, is not enough.

“Analysis of previous budgets has shown that expenditure performance especially on capital has been poor regarding the release of funds. There is a need to ensure that there is not just timely but also total release of these funds for implementation to meet the intentions.”

Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) is advocating for transparency in capital projects by pushing for the clear disclosure of project locations.

“For example, the budget line for agricultural extension has not been explained to give a clear picture of what is to be done.

“Provisions for Women and youth in Agriculture should be prioritised. Also, there should be timely disbursements of these funds.

“Government should make an effort to provide organic fertilisers instead of the inorganic to farmers in the state considering the health implication of the continual use of chemical fertilizer, its negative effect on the soil and climate change. A budget line for credits and loans for SWOFON and youths in the State should be created; this will greatly boost their output hence, food sufficiency, security, and self-employment,” she mentioned.

Further speaking, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, who was represented by Bulus Jonathan urged on the farmers to utilise the ministry’s incentives such as subsidy on implements hire.

“The ministry also provides extension services. We have opportunities in five centres across the state to provide extension and hiring services. We have small mini tractors that can be hired for N50,000 per day, there is a power trailer that can be hired for a week at N30,000. As women, they can go there and hire it for a day. The mini tractor can prepare land up to six hectares a day while the power trailer can prepare up to three to four a day,” he stated.

Sarah Yapwa, CEO of Hope Foundation for the Lonely (HFL), is calling on the government to uphold the Maputo/Malabo Declarations and increase funding to ensure food security in Gombe State.

She highlighted, “Hunger will flee from our state. Hunger is a weapon of mass destruction; it can destroy more than any weapon of mass destruction. The second stanza of the song we are singing is the release of the budget to our women.”