Professor Uché Ewelukwa Ofodile, Africa’s representative on the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on the Rights of Farmers and Rural Workers, has called on African governments to deliberately integrate persons with disabilities into every stage of the agricultural value chain.

In her statement marking the 33rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ofodile lamented that people with disabilities remain largely excluded from production, processing, marketing, and distribution activities. She described disability-inclusive agriculture as both a moral responsibility and a smart economic strategy, warning that Africa cannot afford to leave millions of citizens behind in the rural economy.

She stressed that such inclusion is vital for reducing rural poverty and strengthening food security across the continent.

Highlighting this year’s theme — “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress” — she urged governments to tackle stigma and deploy assistive technologies and digital tools to unlock opportunities for rural farmers with disabilities. While acknowledging that several African countries have established strong legal frameworks, she emphasized the urgent need to translate policy into practice.

Ofodile expressed optimism that with deliberate action, inclusion can become a driver of social and economic transformation. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been observed annually since 1992 under UN General Assembly Resolution 47/3, serving as a global reminder of the need to advance rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities.