Abia Urges Rural Women Farmers To Embrace Sustainable Farming Practices

Onyeukwu gave the advice at a ceremony to commemorate this year’s International Day of Rural Women held on Tuesday at Obikabia in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area (LGA).

The theme of the event is, “Rural Women Sustaining Nature for our Collective Future” and is commemorated on every October 15.

The governor’s aide urged rural women farmers to adopt such agricultural practices that preserve biodiversity to secure the future of Abia and promote its socioeconomic development.

She said that the current reality created by climate change made it pertinent for everyone to practice agriculture in harmony with nature.

Onyeukwu said that women play very vital role in the development of society as well as tackling climate change and deforestation, which makes it important for them to be celebrated.

“The effort of rural women through the application of age-old knowledge in agriculture and environmental conservation has kept us safe from the dangers of climate change and deforestation,” the commissioner said.

She further said that the government placed high premium on the affairs of women, which informed its decision to constantly evolve programmes and policies aimed at improving their wellbeing.

Onyeukwu said: “Rural Women’s Day is important to the United Nations and State Government, which is the reason for the commemoration of this event aimed at appreciating rural women.

“Women need to have access to land because they are the people caring for the land and the State Government has a Female Inheritance Law to support them in this regard.”

Also, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisation, Mrs Chinwe Kanu-Uba, said that the celebration also highlights the need to promote women’s access to land and empowerment.

Kanu-Uba also said that the celebration serves as a clarion call to all women to become active participants in the campaign against climate change.

She said that in most families, women play the role of primary providers, which raises the need for them to acquire skills and knowledge that would boost their productivity and relevance.

She further pointed out that government has a Female Inheritance Law, “which gives women the right to inherit landed property as part of its efforts to protect the interest of women.

“Any woman whose right to inherit landed property is violated should visit the Ministry of Women Affairs for assistance,”the commissioner said.

Kanu-Uba also urged women living in rural areas to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make natural foods a huge part of their regular diet.

In another remark, the Women Leader of Labour Party in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Mrs Nkechi Chibueze, thanked the State Government for providing an opportunity for rural women to be enlightened and celebrated.

Chibueze said that the occasion had given a sense of belonging to the women living in the rural communities in the LGA.

In separate interviews, two women, Mrs Joy Azubuike and Mrs Ifenyinwa Gideon, said that the programme offered them the opportunity to get vital information that would help them.

Also,similar enlightenment programme was also organised for rural women in Umuahia North LGA.