Women’s participation in agriculture is severely hampered by limited access to the land, according to Agnes Fred, the women’s program coordinator for agriculture and sustainable development.
She emphasized that land ownership and accessibility remains a major challenge, preventing women from becoming fully involved in agricultural production and contributing to national food security.
At a recent one-day agricultural journalism seminar in Monrovia, Madame Fred highlighted the struggles women face in acquiring farmland despite their important role in food production.
She noted that women make up the majority of the agricultural workers in Liberia, but many do not control the land they grow.
This limits our ability to expand agricultural activities, secure financial support and improve livelihoods, she explained.
Women’s agriculture experts have brought passionate appeal to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to intervene and support women in securing farmland.
She urged these institutions to create policies and initiatives that allow women to have easy access to farmland and allow them to become important contributors to the country’s agricultural growth.
“We are calling on FAO and MOA to help female farmers acquire land for farming purposes.
Without the land, women would not be able to engage in sustainable agriculture, which will affect their economic empowerment and Liberia’s food production,” Fred said.
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In addition to appealing to policymakers, Fred also called on the media to play an active role in advocating for women in agriculture.
She encouraged journalists and media institutions to highlight the challenges women face and the challenges mobilizing support from both government and non-governmental organizations.
“The media plays an important role in ensuring that women can hear voices in agriculture.
We need strong advocacy to promote policies that allow women to own and access farmland without restrictions,” she added.
Women’s involvement in agriculture is important for national development.
Experts suggest that providing women with safe access to the land not only increases productivity, but also improves household nutrition, reduces poverty and strengthens the agricultural sector of Liberia.
To achieve this, stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector stakeholders and civil society organisations, must cooperate in the following ways: Provide financial and technical support to female farmers to boost their farming activities.
We will strengthen agricultural cooperatives where women can collectively acquire and manage farmland.
With appropriate support, women can make a significant contribution to Liberia’s agricultural development and ensure generational food security and economic sustainability.
It’s now up to policy makers, donors and stakeholders. Women’s investment in agriculture is an investment in Liberia’s future. -Edited by othello B. Garblah.
