There is growing evidence that improving women’s access to agricultural resources such as farm inputs, markets and lands improves livelihoods, reduces poverty and guarantees food security.

DAWN Commission, in recognition of this fact, recently partnered with Life and Peace Development Organisation (LAPDO) on the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Project to promote the mainstreaming of gender and social inclusion in Oyo State’s agricultural policy.

This was accomplished during a two-day workshop held at the Ibadan Business School on August 10 and 11, 2022. During the workshop, all of the Oyo State’s Agricultural Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) participated, and a thorough examination of the State’s agriculture policy was conducted.

The Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo State, Hon. Adeniyi Olabode Adebisi expressed gratitude to the development partners for starting the process of reviewing the state’s policies. The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Mr. Bode Raji, assured the development partners of the State’s continued support and mentioned that aside the Agricultural Transformation Framework designed for the State during Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration has designed policies guiding the State government’s intervention in the agricultural sector. Both documents were useful for the policy review process.

In commencing the workshop, the Policy Consultant, Prof. James Olaniyi Okunlola delivered a presentation on the essence of policies, the need for their review and the reason why they should be inclusive. Thereafter, each agricultural MDAs in the State were divided into groups for the review of each sub-sector’s policy statement, objective and strategy.

On the second day, the divided groups made a presentation on the outcome of their review and appropriate corrections were made immediately and all presentations were compiled.

Agricultural Policy Consultant, Prof. Okunola is currently reviewing the updated policy document and will be shared with Oyo State MDAs in a few days.