Tamale: The Savannah Women Farmers Association (SWFA) has organized a forum in Tamale aimed at enhancing the capacity of women farmers and encouraging their participation in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness across the Northern Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was conducted under the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) initiative, bringing together farmers from Kumbungu, Mion, Nanton, Savelugu, and Tolon Districts. Key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, including financial institutions, input dealers, and off-takers, also participated.
The forum focused on providing a platform for networking, capacity building, and exploring strategies to improve access to productive resources, markets, and agricultural technologies for women farmers. Mr. Oseni Kabiru, Programmes Officer of SWFA, emphasized the importance of empowering women with the necessary knowledge and connections to benefit from government and private sector interventions.
Madam Abdul Shakur Safura, a farmer from Tampion in the Nanton District, highlighted the need for greater communal and institutional support to enhance women’s contributions to Ghana’s food security and sustainable development efforts. She stressed the importance of prioritizing access to fertile farmlands and agricultural inputs for women.
Madam Widat Mumuni, Women in Agriculture Officer at Savelugu Municipal Department of Agriculture, urged women to leverage government initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme to increase productivity and secure household food security. She called for collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and development partners to expand access to farm inputs, capital, and training for women farmers.
Mr. Sulemana Jamaldeen, a Nursery Attendant at the Department of Parks and Gardens, encouraged women to consider tree planting as a viable income source and a means to promote environmental conservation. He pointed out that tree farming is both profitable and sustainable, requiring minimal capital while offering long-term benefits.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to engage with stakeholders and committed to disseminating the knowledge gained to other women in their communities.