Nigerian women contribute almost 70% agric workforce

chika ebuzor

October 21, 2015 5:51 AM

In Nigeria, women contribute close to 70 per cent of agricultural workforce but yet get far less of the accruing returns.

The new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria sits during his investiture ceremony in Abidjan on September 1, 2015. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

Dr Ousmane Dore, the Nigeria Country Director, African Development Bank (AfDB), said Nigerian women contribute close to 70 per cent of agricultural workforce but get less of accruing returns.

Dore made this known in Abuja at the launch of African Women in Agriculture Report titled, ``Economic empowerment of African women through equitable participation in agricultural value chains.''

According to him, the report is aim at contributing to the economic empowerment of African women in agriculture through identification and proffering of possible solutions to hindrances to women’s active participation in agricultural value chains.

"In Nigeria, women contribute close to 70 per cent of agricultural workforce but yet get far less of the accruing returns.

"In spite of their (women) huge labour investment, productivity is low and they often have limited roles in decision making on the farms.

"Lack of ownership of land and other productive assets due to existing social norms has create a significant negative impact on the family income and the nation’s GDP at large,’’ Dore said.

He said that the bank recognised crucial role of women in economic growth and sustainability in Africa.

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chika ebuzor