In Nigeria, high profile policy measures such as the Presidential Initiative on Fertilizers and the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme have demonstrated strong political will towards public investment on domestic staple production as part of a wider strategy for enhanced national food security. In addition, Mali's strong performance in local production has contributed to relative self-sufficiency in rice consumption as 89% of total rice consumed in Mali comes from from local production, compared to 50% and 17% in Niger and Benin respectively (SOS FAIM, 2017). These factors largely parallel those discussed in the review of literature about women and economic development in the region (Chapter 2). The lack of training and coaching is widely recognised as a limit on women's activities, especially in handicrafts, where women are very well represented. "