Women Inclusion in a Male Dominated Onion Value Chain
Date
2020
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Abstract
The onion sector in Nigeria plays a significant role in the country's agriculture and economy. Nigeria is among the largest producers of onions in West Africa, with Sokoto State being the main production area. However, onion farmers face various challenges, including poor agricultural practices, lack of access to credit, limited market access for women, poor agronomic practices, and inadequate storage facilities. The 2SCALE program, designed to accelerate inclusive agribusiness development in Africa, has been instrumental in addressing these challenges in the onion sector. Specifically, the program has focused on empowering women onion farmers in Wamakko, Sokoto, by providing them with training, access to credit, improved agronomic practices, and better storage facilities. Through the program, women onion farmers in Wamakko have experienced positive outcomes. They have increased their production and productivity, improved the quality of their onions, gained better access to markets, and developed stronger buyer-seller relationships. The program has also enhanced their financial and resource management skills, contributing to increased income and economic empowerment. The partnership between 2SCALE and the women onion farmers in Wamakko will continue to expand. More training will be conducted to improve productivity, increase the number of women involved in on-farm activities, and overcome cultural barriers. Additionally, Tays Food, a private company in the onion sector, will continue to support the women farmers by providing various seeds and collaborating with 2SCALE to implement women-to-women training, promoting greater inclusivity and empowerment in the value chain.
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Keywords
Onions, Women farmers, Agronomic practices