Rural women farmers, central to agricultural development

By Samuel Akumatey, GNA

Akpafu (VR) Oct. 19, GNA – Madam Grace Quaye,
President of the Development Action Association (DAA), a Non-Governmental
Organization, has said the role of rural women farmers in agricultural
development had past significant levels and that it was time they were given
more prominence on the policy table.

She said the bulk of rural women were farmers
who have marginalization during agricultural policy formulation, in addition to
existing gender bullying.

Madam Quaye who was speaking at an event to
mark World Rural Women’s Day at Akpafu, a rice growing enclave within the Hohoe
Municipality of the Volta Region, said access to land, water and other
resources continued to repel efforts of rural women farmer populations at food
security and rural livelihood empowerment.

“This year’s celebration seeks to contribute
to minimizing the marginalization of women participation in the formulation of
key decisions in agricultural policy formulation and implementation,” she said.

Madam Quaye further said the celebration would
help ensure increased political and social will, and would also affect
behavioral change, whiles the NGO would continue to undertake activities
including fundraisers, training, and workshops as contributions towards women empowerment.

She called on women peasant farmers to form
associations for skills transfer and easier access to external support, and
promised to help attract rice milling investments to the area.

The 2018 celebration, organized by the DAA
with support from the German Association of Rural Women, is on the theme:
“Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Agricultural and Gender Equality and the
Empowerment of Rural Women in Key Decisions Making,” and attracted women
farmers along the rice and maize value chain in the Municipality.

Madam Janet Adade, President of Madomise Women
Farmers Association constituted by about 300 women from Akpafu, said the
Association had helped in providing improved farming and processing methods to
increase outputs of rice production to about 2,000 tonnes annually.

World Rural Women’s Day is held each year on
October 15 to recognize women’s role in food production and food security.

GNA

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