The Executive Director of the National Farmers Association, Mr. Njaga Jawo has buttressed the need for farmers to redouble their efforts in prioritising sesame production as a major cash crop.
In an interview with this reporter, he said "sesame is no longer called women crops instead it is a national crop in the sense that men overtake the lead in sesame production."
According to Mr. Jawo, a recent study has shown that men have participated more than women in sesame production. This, he added, has shown that sesame production is gaining momentum and becoming a very important crop. He urged farmers to continue promoting sesame production in their farming system, noting that it is a rescue crop.
Mr. Jawo further revealed that NAWFA comprises 48, 000 membership, operating in 1074 villages countrywide. He said the ultimate aim of NAWFA is to promote socio-economic empowerment of women in processing, marketing of high value crops and livestock that attract high prices at the market.
He stated that women should have the right to credit, good nutrients, good health, education and the right for their voices to be heard. He said women contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product and foreign exchange, as well as every aspects of income in this country. He also emphasised the need for women groups in villages to have adequate access to land ownership.
