NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
In continuation of the Federal government’s quest to ensure food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has empowered women farmers with the needed tools to help them succeed in their enterprise. The event, which took place in Lafia at the Government House on Wednesday, drew participants from across the State and also saw a cash support of N26 million doled to the women and youth farmers.
First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajia Selifat Abdullahi Sule who performed the presentation, urged the beneficiaries to judiciously put the training to good use and invest the cash in the farming enterprise. Hajia Sule who was represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Sheila Akabe, noted that the groups were carefully selected across the 13 local government areas of the State. “We are gathered here to celebrate the potential, ignite ambition and reaffirm unwavering believe in the power of youth and women, particularly in the area of food, nutrition and security,” said Sule.
She added that the objective of the initiative was to enable women and youths become pillars in the agriculture sector of the economy. “This agricultural support programme is not just about providing tools and resources, it is about investing in youths and women, to become leaders in the agriculture sector for sustainable livelihoods.” She admonished the recipients to be resilient even as they confront the challenges that lay ahead.
In an address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Princess Margaret Elayo appreciated the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, First Lady Tinubu and the First lady of Nasarawa State, for the laudable programme. The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in Ministry, Emmanuel Yonah, expressed optimism that the gesture would expand women’s investment in agribusiness.
Aside goodwill messages which tailored towards encouraging the beneficiaries to effectively apply the resources to their farming businesses, talks were also given by resource persons drawn from the agricultural sector. Professor Ibrahim Haruna for example called on the beneficiaries to improvise, by deploying organic manure for support their crops. She advised them to embrace home-gardens as that which they can effectively monitor. He noted that nets and other barricades can be used to prevent animals from accessing the farms.
In addition to the free training, each group got two million naira to invest in their farming businesses.