Follow Us on Google
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Uzomaka Nwifuru, has distributed farm inputs, equipment and other items to 100 women and young farmers in the state in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda on agricultural projects and food security of the wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu.
Mrs Nwifuru, who distributed the items at Old Presidential Lodge in Abakaliki, at the weekend, said It was a collaborative effort between the BERWO Foundation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the state.
She described agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy and called on young farmers to put more effort in agricultural activities for food sufficiency.
Mrs Nwifuru, who noted that many individuals, particularly women and young people, face significant barriers that prevent them from fully participating in this essential sector, said such gap was what the Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Programme seeks to address by providing targeted support, resources and training.
“This initiative, Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Programme, is designed to enhance productivity, promote agribusiness and create wealth through four major components, including Women in Agriculture Initiative,Young Farmers’ Club, Every Home a Garden Campaign and Youth in Agriculture and Empowerment Programme,” she stated.
She said women play a crucial role in agricultural production, yet often lack access to necessary resources, such as land, credit and training.
“Today, we are going to empower 100 women in agriculture. Through this programme, we aim to empower women by providing training workshops that will focus on sustainable farming practices, financial literacy and business management skills, access to resources, such as seedlings, fertilisers and funds, which will enhance productivity and networking opportunities by connecting women farmers with each other. We can help them share knowledge and increase their economic opportunities,” she said.
She said young farmers were the future of agriculture. The Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Programme recognises this potential by establishing Young Farmers’ Clubs across primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi State.
She noted that empowering youth was critical for ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, enjoined women and the young farmers’ club among other beneficiaries to make good use of the inputs.
She thanked the wife of Nigeria’s President and wife of Ebonyi State Governor for distributing this on time as farming season has set in.
