NGO empowers 100 rural women farmers in Enugu State

The Voice of Women Evolution (VOWE), an NGO, has donated farm inputs and implements to 100 women farmers in Nkerefi Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The Founder, Mrs Sophia Uzodimma-Onovo, who presented the items to the farmers on Monday in Nkerefi, said the gesture was the organisation’s way of supporting rural women.

Represented by Ms Chisom Nwagwu, VOWE’s Programme Officer, Uzodimma-Onovo said the donation was to commemorate the second edition of the organisation’s Women in Agriculture Scheme.

She said that rural women farmers in Nkerefi had demonstrated rare resilience and commitment to enhancing productivity in farming.

The VOWE’s founder listed the items presented to the farmers as, fertilizers, improved seedlings, hoes, cutlasses and watering cans, among others.

Onovo urged stakeholders to acknowledge the positive impacts of women farmers on food production, security and the economy by supporting them to do more.

She said that it was important for stakeholders to reflect on the critical roles of women in different sectors of the economy.

“Women are playing critical roles in not only agriculture and food production, but in different sectors of our national life, they need to be encouraged.

“Let us open opportunities, and invest intentionally in women. When women succeed, our communities succeed too.

“To the 100 women receiving these farming implements today, we see your hard work, we recognise your strength, and we believe in your potential,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ada Ezeani, thanked the NGO for the gesture, saying that the inputs would be of great support to the farmers.

“The fertilizer and improved seedling are going to boost the yield in our farms, we are sure of good harvest in the forthcoming season,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Amaka Ukandu, also thanked the organisation for the gesture, and described the donation as well-intended.

“These inputs will greatly support me and my family, I am already anticipating bumper harvest this year,” she said.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi