Food security: Shefarmers debuts in Abuja, targets 20,000 farmers yearly

A Non- Governmental Organization (NGO), She Farmers Initiative, Nigeria, yesterday launched a chapter project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting over 20,000 female farmers to benefit annually from its interventions for improved agriculture businesses, aimed at mitigating food insecurity.

It was gathered that Shefarmers, established sometime in 2021, to provide support, by creating enabling environment for female agric – entrepreneurs to thrive in Africa.

Speaking at the inaugural launch of the FCT Chapter, the President of the Initiative, Mrs. Kudirat Ande, said the platform was designed to empower African women in agriculture.

While inaugurating Shefarmers’ Advisory Board and members of the Executives for the FCT, Ande, who was represented by the Vice-President 1, Samera Abdullahi, urged the FCT chapter to work towards creating an enabling environment for women farmers and female agricultural entrepreneurs.

Similarly, Coordinator, North Central, Hajiya Ladi Sulaiman, said the essence of launching the Initiative in the FCT is for people especially women to know that there is a group of women with passion for them to thrive in the agriculture sector.

She added that stakeholders through the Initiative are making effort to see that they improve agriculture, as it is one of Shefarmers’ basic goals, which is to see that agriculture is one thing that every woman should actively engage in.

“With the declaration of emergency on food insecurity, we are calling on the government to look at Shefarmers as a veritable platform, and bring us on board to be part of the system, in order to get to the grassroots women. There are a lot of technology that are coming up that women at the grass roots need, and we want to use technology to improve farming in the society. The platform will train women farmers on home gardens to ensure that households eat purely organic food. It also sensitises women on new technology and innovations that improves agricultural yield and ensures bumper harvest.”

On his part, the National Petron of the group, Alhaji Aminu Pai, said the FCT chapter of Shefarmers initiative will raise awareness amongst the women folk especially at the grassroots in the territory.

“It is also to identify with relevant stakeholders in acquisition of land, technical know-how on farm preparation, equipment, seeds, and other farming inputs to improve agricultural entrepreneurship,” he said.

Also speaking, Mallam Abubakar Sadeeq, acting Secretary, Agricultural Secretariat, commended the initiative, which he said would add value to agricultural production.

Sadeeq, who was represented by Hajiya Umma Abubakar, an official of the secretariat, pledged to work with the group to improve agricultural production in the FCT.

In his goodwill message, Onah of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Adamu Baba Yunusa, lauded the initiative and pledged the full support of the traditional council.

Not left out, Advisory Board member of the initiative, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, said Shefarmers are expected to be the voice for rural women, as they can advocate for government to go and buy up farm produce from the rural areas, and stock them in silos.

She added that it is also to encourage government to make farming implements fertilizers in particular to be made available to these women at the right time, to enable them plant and harvest in record time.

She also stressed the need for greater collaboration and advocacy on improving the participation of women in agriculture, which would ensure improved value chain and food security.

At the event with the theme: “Embracing technology panacea for sustainable agricultural development for women in rural areas”, Dr. Maimuna Habib was inaugurated as the FCT Coordinator, Dr Asmau Adamu as Vice-Coordinator, and Hajiya Rakiya Mohammed as Secretary.

Other members of the executive are Mrs Francisca Ihekandu as Financial Secretary; Ms Lucy Cebawaza, Treasurer; Dr Regina Adulugba, Head of Projects; and Ms Rebecca Ukpevo as Public Relation Officer.

Those inaugurated as Advisory Board are Mrs Omolola Olanikpekun, acting Secretary, Area Councils Services Secretariat, FCT Administration; Ms Sarah Arieo, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics ACSS.

Others are Dr Jummai Ahmadu, Director, Reform Coordination and Service Delivery, FCTA, and Amb. Zainab Mohammed, President, Women in Commerce.