SheFarmers Initiative, an NGO, has pledged to empower no fewer than 20,000 female farmers in the FCT, in other to boost agriculture businesses and mitigate food insecurity.
Mrs Kudirat Ande, President of the Initiative, said this at the inaugural launch of the FCT chapter of the organisation in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event with the theme “Embracing Technology, Panacea for women in rural areas”, also featured the inauguation of the SheFarmers Advisory Board members as well as Executives for the FCT chapter.
Ande, who was represented by Samera Abdullahi, Vice President 1, said that the organisation, established in 2021, was committed to creating an enabling environment for female agric-entrepreneurs to thrive in Africa.
Also speaking, Hajiya Ladi Sulaiman, Coordinator, North Central of the organisation, said the essence of creating the FCT chapter was to enable women in the agriculture sector thrive and be empowered.
“With the declaration of a state of emergency on food security, we are calling on the government to look at engage NGOs like ours to get to women at the grassroots.
“There are a lot of technology that are coming up that women at the grassroots 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.
“We also intend to sensitise women on new technology and innovations that will improve agricultural yields and ensure bumper harvest,” she said.
For his part, the National Patron of the group, Alhaji Aminu Pai, said the FCT chapter of the organisation would identify with relevant stakeholders in acquisition of lands among others.
He said that it would involve those with the technical know-how on farm preparation, equipment, seeds, and other farming inputs to improve agricultural entrepreneurship in the territory.
Also speaking, Mr Abubakar Sadeeq, Acting Secretary, Agricultural Secretariat, FCTA, commended the initiative, adding that it would add value to agricultural production in the FCT.
Sadeeq, who was represented by Hajiya Umma Abubakar, pledged the committment of the Secretariat to work with the group to improve agricultural production in the FCT.
Earlier in his address, Onah of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Adamu Yunusa, lauded the initiative and pledged the full support of the traditional council.
Also speaking, DrJumai Ahmadu, Member, Advisory Board of the organisation, said that it would encourage government to make farming inputs available to the female farmers to enable them plant and harvest in record time.
She also stressed the need for greater collaboration and advocacy on improved participation of women in agriculture, adding that it was necessary for improved value chain and food security.