A Non – governmental organization has trained 100 women farmers on climate-smart agriculture to boost farm production activities and enhancing food security.
The International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD), Programme Manager, Miss Mercy Joshua said this at a workshop in Ikorodu, Lagos state during the weekend.
According to her, this was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the farmers to access skills, resources and opportunities to address climate challenges.
She said that many women in the country were economically excluded due to varied socio-economic factors and cultural barriers.
“This situation is worsened by the adverse impact of climate change. Nigeria’s climate is increasingly changing, evidenced in upsurges in temperature, variable rainfall, flooding and land degradation.
“These changes are bringing a gendered impact as they disproportionately affect women and widen gender inequalities.” Joshua said.
According to her, the small scale women farmers loose opportunities, markets, and profits as climate change hits Nigeria.
Joshua added, “With a series of engagements with community leaders, women groups and local women farmers in 2022 and 2023, ICEHD, with support from African Development Fund (AWDF) embarked on the two-year project.
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“It is focused on empowering rural women farmers in Nigeria with knowledge, skills, resources and tools to enable them access economic opportunities and be equipped with sustainable solutions to address climate challenges.
“This will enable them to achieve economic justice and the capacity to project their voices towards reforms in agricultural policy.
“It will also boost gender mainstreaming in agricultural budgeting and financial inclusion, to promote the rights women farmers in Nigeria.”
Joshua stated that working with the Lagos State Government, over 100 women farmers had been trained there.
“This was aimed at achieving change where women can participate equally with men in accessing resources and opportunities for economic advancement.
“The women farmers were empowered with farming tools such as garden tools, portable watering cans, organic fertilizer, super-grow booster and soil amendment,” she said.
Also, Mrs Temitope Okunnu, Head, Foundation Fora Better Environment (FABE), urged the farmers to start practicing usage of natural composite and pesticides as better alternatives to preserve the soil and human health.
Mrs Omogoriola Beckley, representing Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) said the training would go a long way in educating them on the various farming processes.
