BOA Expands Support for Women Farmers: How Nigerian Women Can Benefit from Agricultural Finance 

Women farmers in Bwari area council, FCT. Credit: BOA

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) is strengthening support for women farmers by improving access to agricultural finance, farm inputs, technology, mechanisation and markets. The move is important because women remain major contributors to Nigeria’s food system but continue to face significant barriers to finance and productive resources. The World Bank reports that only 3% of female farmers in Nigeria are formally enrolled in financial systems, compared with 10% of male farmers. 

What BOA Is Offering 

BOA says its approach goes beyond simply providing loans. Its Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value-Chain Fund combines affordable credit with quality inputs, extension support and market linkages for smallholder farmers. 

The Federal Government has also announced a Guaranteed Price Model and the distribution of more than 10 million bags of fertilizer under the programme, targeting two million smallholder farmers. 

“Agricultural financing cannot end with disbursement. Farmers need access to inputs, mechanisation, markets and other support required to turn financing into output.” — Ayodeji Sotinrin, BOA Managing Director 

How Women Farmers Can Benefit 

1. Join a farmer cooperative or organised group. Working collectively can make it easier to access structured agricultural programmes and market opportunities. 

2. Keep proper farm records. Document your farm size, crops, production costs, sales and previous farming activities. Good records can strengthen your financial profile. 

3. Prepare a simple farm business plan. Clearly explain what you produce, how much funding you need and how the money will increase production. 

4. Monitor BOA programmes. Visit the Bank of Agriculture’s official website for verified announcements and application information. 

5. Explore inputs and market support. BOA’s current value-chain model connects financing with inputs, extension services and guaranteed off-take, potentially reducing some of the challenges farmers face after receiving funding.  

Expanding finance, inputs and market access for women farmers can strengthen household incomes, agricultural productivity and food security. Women farmers should stay informed, organize themselves, maintain proper records and use only verified BOA channels when seeking opportunities.