L-R is Aisha Yakubu, President of WIMA, at the middle is Dr. Aisha Wazir, Board Chair of WIMA’s Board of Trustees and Agribusiness specialist and WIMA member, Heather-Ronke Akanni
The Women in Mechanized Agriculture Association (WIMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in agriculture by increasing access to mechanization, enhancing productivity, and advocating for inclusive policies.
Speaking at the official launch of a new initiative, Dr. Aisha Wazir, Chair of WIMA’s Board of Trustees, expressed excitement over the project, emphasizing its role in bridging the gap for women in mechanized farming.
“We are very excited as we formally embark on this project,” Dr. Wazir stated. “WIMA stands for Women in Mechanized Agriculture, and our mission is to ensure that women have access to mechanization. While women play a significant role in agriculture, economic circumstances often limit their access to modern equipment.”
Dr. Wazir highlighted the impact of mechanization on efficiency and productivity, noting that it reduces labor intensity and increases agricultural output.
“Mechanization changes the game. It enhances efficiency, reduces labor, and allows women to scale up their farming activities. Without it, commercial agriculture remains out of reach for many women,” she added.
Bringing Mechanization Services to Rural Women
Aisha Yakubu, President of WIMA, provided insight into the organization’s journey since its inception in 2019. She explained that WIMA was established to deliver mechanization services to women, particularly those in underserved locations.
“We understand the kind of equipment women need and the challenges they face in acquiring them,” Yakubu said. “Most women in rural areas cannot afford mechanization equipment, which is why we created an association where women pool resources to acquire and operate mechanized farming tools.”
She detailed WIMA’s services, which include access to tractors, harvesters, threshing, irrigation, and spraying services, ensuring that women across various agricultural activities benefit from modern technology.
“Through this initiative, we enable women to balance their roles as farmers, mothers, and wives while still advancing in commercial agriculture,” she added.
WIMA is currently active in 19 states, with seven states fully operational. The association has established 24 mechanization hubs across Nigeria, where women-run operations provide essential services to local farmers.
Investment and Policy Advocacy for Women in Mechanized Agriculture
Beyond providing mechanization services, WIMA is also creating investment opportunities for women. Yakubu explained the innovative investment model, which allows women to invest in mechanized equipment with fractional ownership.
“For example, if a tractor costs 59 million naira, we break it down into 1,000 units, allowing women to invest as little as 5,900 naira per unit. This crowdfunding approach enables women to co-own machinery and share in its profits,” she said.
Heather-Ronke Akanni, an agribusiness specialist and WIMA member, underscored the importance of this initiative in driving agricultural transformation.
“Our core mission is to transition peasant farming into mechanized agriculture by empowering women investors and leaders in this space. We call on the government to create policies specifically tailored for women in mechanized farming,” Akanni stated.
She emphasized that while policies exist for women in agriculture generally, there is a need for targeted policies that support mechanization for women.
Scaling Up and Embracing Sustainable Technology
Hadiza Abakaruma, WIMA’s National Coordinator, provided updates on the association’s transition toward sustainable, non-fossil fuel equipment.
“When we started in 2019, we were just six women. By 2020, with support from the MasterCard Foundation, we grew to 250 women. Today, we have expanded to 2,000 women, providing tractors and mechanized services across various communities,” Abakaruma explained.
She detailed WIMA’s operational model, which enables women to acquire equipment through a vendor financing approach, ensuring accessibility while maintaining profitability.
“We strategically place equipment in locations where demand is high, allowing women to provide services and eventually pay back the cost of the machines,” she noted.
Currently, WIMA operates 12 mechanization hubs across Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Gombe states, with each state hosting three hubs. The organization is also transitioning to solar-powered threshers and other sustainable technologies to boost productivity and environmental sustainability.
Call for Government and Stakeholder Support
WIMA leaders collectively urged the government and private sector to support women in mechanized agriculture through policy frameworks, investment incentives, and infrastructure development.
“We need ministries and stakeholders to recognize the transformative potential of this initiative,” Abakaruma stated. “With policy support and investment, the number of women benefiting from mechanized agriculture will skyrocket, creating more employment opportunities and strengthening food security.”
She described WIMA as an innovative, women-led initiative that has the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria.
“This is a game changer. If we want to diversify our economy beyond oil, investing in mechanized agriculture for women is crucial,” she concluded.
As WIMA continues to expand, its model of inclusive mechanization is set to empower thousands of women farmers across Nigeria, making agriculture more efficient, profitable, and sustainable.
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