Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
In line with the renewed hope agenda on agricultural projects and food security of the wife of Nigeria’s first Lady, Sen Oluremi Tinubu,
the wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Uzomaka Nwifuru, has distributed farm inputs to about 100 small holder Women and young farmers club in Abakaliki.
Equipments and farm seedlings were also part of the items distributed at the event, which took place on Friday at the presidential lodge,old government house Abakaliki.
Correspondent reports that the renowned hope initiative requires everyone’s collective commitment, effort to food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture in every state in Nigeria.
Nwifuru said Agriculture has always been the corner stone of Nigeria’s economy and urged young farmers to put more effort in agricultural activities for food sufficiency in our homes.
Nwifuru noted that many individuals, particularly women and young people, face significant barriers that prevent them from fully participating in agricultural sector but such gap is what renewed hope in collaboration with the BERWO Foundation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Ebonyi State working to bridge.
Her words, “The Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Program seeks to address these challenges by providing targeted support, resources, and training”.
“This initiative, Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Program, is designed to enhance productivity, promote agribusiness, and create wealth through four major components: Women in Agriculture Initiative Young Farmers Club, Every Home a Garden Campaign and Youth in Agriculture and Empowerment Program”
“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 program, 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, fertilizers and funds which will enhance productivity, Networking Opportunities by connecting women farmers with each other, we can help them share knowledge and increase their economic opportunities”.
She said Young farmers are the future of agriculture. The Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Program recognizes this potential by establishing Young Farmers Clubs across primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi State.
“These clubs will provide: Mentorship Programs where experienced farmers will mentor young members to share best practices and innovative techniques , Provision of uniform, watering can and hoe for the club members and all activities will be checked by our monitoring team.
Skill Development which will be training sessions that will cover modern agricultural methods, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurship and Community Engagement where young farmers will be encouraged to participate in community projects that promote local food security”.
She futher noted that empowering youth is critical for ensuring the sustainability of agricultural sector.
Nwifuru used the opportunity to appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria and the Founder of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Oluremi Tinubu, the state ministry of Agriculture led by the Commissioner, Nkechinyere Inyioku, and her team.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nkechinyere Iyioku enjoined the women, the Young farmers club among other beneficiaries to make good use of the inputs.
She commended the wife of Nigeria’s President, Oluremi Tinubu and wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Uzomaka Nwifuru for distributing the inputs on time as farming season begins in the state.
To address the scarcity of farmland in the state, the smell holder women and young farmers were given lectures on steps in yam or bag farming by an agriculturist Nweze John from Ebonyi IFAD-VCDP urged them to embrace the new system.