University professor calls for better credit systems for women farmers in Nigeria

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Professor Taibat Yusuf of Kwara State University, Malete, addressed structural barriers facing women in the agricultural sector during the institution's 23rd Inaugural Lecture. She argued that these systemic issues, primarily discriminatory land inheritance laws and a lack of gender-inclusive credit, hinder national food security and poverty reduction. To address these challenges, she called for policy reforms including mandatory gender impact assessments, increased representation of women on agricultural boards, and the provision of loans that do not require land as collateral.

Consequences

If the government adopts these recommendations, women farmers may gain increased access to formal financing and agricultural inputs through revised collateral requirements. The implementation of female-focused extension services and infrastructure investments could also reduce the burden of unpaid domestic labor, potentially increasing productivity for rural agricultural households.

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