By Isaac Ukpoju
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP) has urged the Nasarawa Government to adopt the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) as state policy to promote gender balance and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development-Value Chain Development Programme (FGN/IFAD-VCDP) has urged the Nasarawa Government to adopt the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) as state policy to promote gender balance and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD-VCDP, made the call on Thursday in Lafia during a policy dialogue on mainstreaming gender in agricultural development.
Aliyu, who was represented Mrs Vera Onyeaka-Onyilo, Knowledge Management and Communication Advisor of the programme, said the system had proved effective in fostering harmony, joint decision-making, and economic well-being in rural households.
According to her, GALS, a community-based methodology, encourages men and women to share household responsibilities, improve agribusiness participation, and reduce gender-based violence.
“We are seeking a policy to institutionalise GALS in Nasarawa State so that it will go beyond the communities to ministries, departments and agencies.
“If you have that balance where men and women are working together, there will be happy homes, stronger organisations and improved livelihoods,” she said.
Aliyu explained that GALS was already being implemented at community level in Nasarawa and other states, and stressed the need for legislative backing to ensure sustainability even after VCDP winds up in 2026.
Also speaking, Alhaji Umar Tanko-Tunga, Nasarawa Commissioner for Agriculture, expressed the government’s readiness to support the adoption of GALS as state policy.
He said the programme had made significant impact on farmers, adding that government would ensure continuity and sustainability.
“As a government that is open for progress, we will not allow this programme to waste away. We want Nasarawa State to fully participate and adopt this methodology,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Eunice Adgidzi, State Programme Coordinator of VCDP, said the introduction of GALS had improved social inclusion, reduced conflicts in households, and boosted incomes of rural farmers.
She explained that the methodology allowed both literate and non-literate farmers to use simple tools and symbols to plan, negotiate roles, and take collective decisions on household and farm matters.
“We have seen husbands and wives resolve conflicts, support each other, and improve their nutrition and livelihoods.
“The methodology has also helped communities understand that peace and cooperation are essential to raising income and sustaining development,” she said.
Adgidzi said the programme currently operates in five local government areas of the state – Lafia, Doma, Wamba, Nasarawa, and Karu; adding that efforts were ongoing to upscale it to other LGAs.
She urged policymakers and stakeholders present at the dialogue to support the domestication of GALS, noting that it was in line with the National Gender Policy and the National Gender in Agriculture Policy. (NAN)