Opening Speech: 

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed dignitaries and guests, and fellow champions of health in agriculture and rural development: 

I would like to begin by thanking UPL, the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, and Somerville College for hosting the third edition of the annual OpenAg Symposium series, as we come together today with a leading group of academics, policymakers, NGOs, and advocates to critically examine many of the issues facing agriculture in the twenty-first century, under the emphasis of enhancing resilience and delivering lasting change in rural societies.

I am truly honoured to stand before you today to discuss a topic of utmost importance – “How can improving farmer health and wellbeing enhance resiliency?.” Today, I also have the privilege of sharing direct insights from the frontlines, as the Founder and President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, an NGO headquartered in Nigeria which works to improve health and wellbeing outcomes across the country, prioritising programmatic and locally driven impact with global advocacy, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In Nigeria, as with other developing nations, the agricultural sector is a primary source of livelihood for millions of people, with small-scale farmers comprising a significant portion of the workforce. These farmers often live in rural areas with limited access to healthcare, proper nutrition, clean water, and sanitation, and climate education. The challenges they face are complex, and are inextricably linked to their health and wellbeing.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa has been working tirelessly to empower rural communities with the knowledge and resources needed to overcome these vulnerabilities through programming which provides quality care and skills development. 

Female farmers especially play a pivotal role in global agriculture, and their health and wellbeing are critical to ensuring food security and sustainable development. Recognising the unique challenges faced by women in farming, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s flagship program, Mamacare360, has been instrumental in addressing the specific needs of women in these rural communities. 

Aimed at Goal 3 of the SDGs, good health and wellbeing for all, and working to improve maternal health by promoting Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) for all women during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the time after birth, WBFA sees the link between pregnant women and their primary health givers as vital to their health after delivery and that of their newborn. We believe that access to midwifery is a vital solution to the challenges of providing high-quality maternal and newborn care for all women and newborn infants in all countries. 

The programme delivers care in line with the World Health Organization (WHO, 2016) recommendations for pregnant women to increase the number of contact with healthcare providers throughout their pregnancy, from four to at least eight. Mamacare360 is bridging an identified gap in achieving best outcomes, by making the mother a premium partner in her own outcome, through education and awareness in birth preparedness, conducted by trained and trusted WBFA midwives, who have reached over 350,000 women. 

By providing essential health information, antenatal care, and postnatal support to female farmers and farming communities, Mamacare360 not only empowers these women but also contributes to building resilient agricultural communities. Through Mamacare360, we strive to create a brighter future where the health and wellbeing of female farmers and farming families are at the forefront of agricultural development, leading to stronger communities, and sustainable agriculture.

Good nutrition is also a cornerstone of health and wellbeing. In Nigeria, many farmers struggle with food insecurity and malnutrition. We can enhance resiliency by promoting nutrition education and sustainable agricultural practices that improve the diversity and availability of nutritious food for farmers and their families. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa have partnered with various global organisations over the years to promote the healthy nutrition of mother and child, from Zinc and low-osmolarity oral rehydration salts supplementation to prevent child deaths due to diarrhoeal disease with Nutrition International and the Government of Canada, to breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit with Medela Cares. 

Our formal partnership to address iron deficiency with the U.S. based Fortify was essential, as anaemia is the major underlying cause of maternal deaths during childbirth in developing countries. Iron deficiency is the most widespread public health disorder in the world, affecting at least one-third of the global population. According to the World Health Organisation, food-based approaches represent the most desirable and sustainable method of preventing micronutrient malnutrition. WBFA joined Fortify’s efforts to create the first-ever, iron fortified tomato-based product, and we were the primary community educators through our grassroots health workers regarding the life-saving benefit of consuming this improved version of tomato paste, which is a West African staple. 

In developing countries, the main cause of iron deficiency is low iron bioavailability of the diet, and leads to premature labour, low birth weight of the infant, birth asphyxia, neonatal anaemia, and death of both the mother and the child. The consequences of iron deficiency not only affect personal health, but the economic health of farming communities and countries as well. 

Access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities is a fundamental determinant of health, as according to the United Nations, over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, and 4.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation services. This is prevalent in Nigeria, where millions lack access to clean water sources and sanitation, leading to waterborne diseases. WBFA thoroughly supports investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, to protect the health of farmers and reduce their vulnerability to climate-related health risks. Through the WBFA trained Sanitation Angels and our partnership with Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest Curriculum, we support the Clean Naija initiative, teaching proper handwashing practice across schools, communities and health care facilities. Reaching over 43,000 this year alone, with a target of over 340,000 in phase 2, our work intersects significantly with the lives of Nigerian farmers. Farmers across Nigeria grapple with various challenges related to environmental pollution, inadequate waste management, and the impact of pollution on their crops and livestock. With a focus on handwashing, and advocating for the improvement of waste management and environmental sanitation, we promote and educate on clean and healthy environments, not only ensuring the wellbeing of farming communities but also fostering agricultural sustainability and productivity. 

Enhancing the adaptive capacity of both health and agricultural systems is essential. The United Nations Development Programme emphasises the importance of building climate-resilient infrastructure and agricultural practices, especially as the World Health Organization estimates that climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, primarily due to malaria, diarrhoea, heat stress, and malnutrition. These risks disproportionately affect farmers and their families, and we must provide farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to adapt to changing weather patterns, as well as strengthening healthcare infrastructure to respond effectively to climate-related health emergencies. By providing training and awareness programs that help farmers recognize the signs of climate-related illnesses and take preventive measures can make a significant difference in their resilience. 

When I was at COP27, we discussed the intersection of climate and health at great lengths, as climatic changes exacerbate poverty and poor health outcomes, pushing rural farming communities further into vulnerability and hardship. Looking ahead to COP28 and the first ever Health Day, it is critical we highlight safeguarding rural livelihoods from the destabilising impacts of extreme weather events, as it is not just an agricultural imperative; it’s a matter of public health and human dignity. 

Government policies and private sector involvement also play a pivotal role in enhancing farmer health and wellbeing. Encouraging public-private partnerships can lead to the development of innovative solutions that address the healthcare needs of rural farming communities. 

Let us remember that the path to a more resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria and beyond begins with the health and wellbeing of our farmers. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa remains dedicated to this cause, and looks forward to creating lasting change in agriculture, improving the lives of countless farmers and their families, while building a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.