21-11-12
Government has
been reminded to come out with a universal land policy that will afford both male
and female farmers the right to owe land without discrimination. Equal access to
land will help empower rural women secure land for their farming activities since
women in most deprived communities of the country, lags behind in terms of land
acquisition. The Upper East Programs Manager of Action Aid, Gregory Dery, who
made the call, further appealed to the state to make farm inputs available to
rural farmers to enhance their crop production. More so, processing and
packaging facilities should be extended to rural women to expand their
businesses and expose them to external and domestic markets. Mr. Dery, was addressing
participants in commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women at
Bolgatanga. The day which was first established by the General Assembly in 2007
and observed on October 15 2008 seeks to recognize the critical role women play
in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide. The day also sought
to acknowledge the tireless contribution of women in improving food security. More
importantly, the day is observed to help put an end to rural poverty, which is considered
as the number one enemy militating against the effort of rural women. Mr. Dery
was optimistic that if women are supported with the necessary farm inputs
including fertilizers, issue of food insecurity would be a thing of the past. On
the issue of fertilizer, Mr. Dery, advocated for improved fertilizer subsidy,
urging the government to consider making fertilizers readily available to poor women
farmers. He also challenged government
and other relevant stakeholders to help assist women financially to enable them
gain access to land. Action Aid he indicated, has contributed its bit by
providing improved seed that are drought resistant and of high yield to most
rural women and had again supported farmers with compost making facilities. A lot of training services, he added, had been
provided to farmers, stressing, that his outfit is working with various coalitions
to build the capacity of women in deprived communities. Through the training, rural
women would be able to increase their crop yield, thereby reducing the hunger
gap between them and their men folks. Speaking to Radio Ghana, the National Director,
Widows and Orphans Movement, (WOM) Madam Betty Ayageba, highlighted the
invaluable contribution of women to national development and called on all to
explore avenues that will enable rural women acquire secured land for farming
activities.
GBC
END
IA/
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