From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has entered into a strategic partnership with the City of Atlanta, United States, to cultivate and export Sunflower and Jatropha Curcas.
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye made the disclosure while briefing journalists in Abuja, saying the partnership aims to empower women-owned businesses, alleviate poverty, create jobs, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
The minister who said her ministry is spearheading the collaboration, explained that as part of this partnership, her Ministry has secured land space in various dams across the country to facilitate the cultivation of these valuable plants.
According to her, the profits realised from the project will be shared among participating women entrepreneurs.
She added, “This initiative is expected to have a transformative impact on the lives of Nigerian women and the nation’s economy.”
The Minister urged all Nigerians to seize the significant opportunity presented by the cultivation of sunflower and jatropha curcas.
The crops, highly sought after in European and American markets for their diverse applications, including biofuel, demonstrate exceptional growth potential in Nigeria.
She said while it takes years to grow sunflowers in America and over seven months to cultivate in Europe, they mature in just 13 weeks in Nigeria.
Similarly, the jatropha curcas plant, traditionally associated with arid regions, can be harvested in between 8-14 months in Nigeria, compared to eighteen months in Europe and America.
The Minister of Women Affairs concluded that by collectively investing in these crops, we can drive a substantial turnaround for women’s empowerment and the nation’s economy.
Kennedy-Ohanenye speaking on the bold plan to empower women and address the country’s food insecurity through large-scale farming said the initiative, dubbed “Women for Nigeria,” aims to mobilize women across the country to engage in agricultural activities, with a focus on dry season farming.
Key highlights of the Initiative include a fundraising and equipment drive that will be held on October 15th, 2024, where individuals and organizations can contribute funds, machines, and farming tools to support the project.
She said the ministry has partnered with the Nigerian Army, Chinese firms, and the state of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to secure funding, equipment, and technical support. Kennedy-Ohanenye said dry season farming will be a key focus, with the ministry working with the Ministry of Water Resources to secure water resources and irrigation equipment.
The ministry, she disclosed has already started farming on 800 hectares of land, including 500 hectares of rice and 300 hectares of corn, using personal funds.
She added that the partnership with Atlanta Georgia, has been established to grow and sell the Jatropha plant, which is used for biofuel production.
Also speaking, the CEO of the Johnbosco Onkwo Foundation, Johnbosco Onkwo, outlined a comprehensive support plan for the Women for Nigeria initiative, emphasizing a focus on funding and resources.
Onkwo stated that support would come in the form of machinery or financial contributions, targeting funds as the primary resource.
He said his foundation would be part of the fundraising event scheduled for October 15, 2024, where donors can contribute equipment, seedlings, or cash.