Advocates govts’ interventions to address needs
The Azeez Adeola Community Care Foundation (AACCF), at the weekend, organised a two-day workshop for no fewer than 150 women farmers in Ogun State as part of the strategic advocacy to empower women in agriculture through the transformative power of technology.
The workshop, with the theme, “Agritech Empowering Women in Agriculture through Technology,” held in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun East Senatorial District, saw the participants being trained in agri-finance, provision of grants and tech tools, training in agricultural fundamentals, record keeping practice and financial management.
Convener of the programme, Azeez Adeola, disclosed that the event was specifically packaged to honour this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) held on March 8, as well as to specially celebrate Nigerian women’s efforts in promoting a better society “through agriculture and food production.”
Adeola said that the federal and state governments, as well as local councils in Nigeria, must evolve an intervention method to address the concerns and needs of women in agriculture if the country must guarantee her self-sufficiency in food production.
She, however, reiterated the concerns and needs to include unlimited access to funding, machinery, as well as agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser and feeds, among others.
Also speaking on the occasion, the wife of Ogun State Governor, Bamidele Abiodun, urged women farmers to embrace technology for agricultural development to boost food production.
Bamidele said that leveraging technology would enable women farmers to detect sustainable ways of growing food, ensuring food security and protecting the environment, thereby impacting positively the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
“By embracing technology in agriculture, we can enhance productivity, reduce waste, and mitigate the environmental impact of farming practices. This will not only ensure food security for our country but also contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.
“Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of women in our communities, empowering them to be more productive, financially independent, and successful in agriculture.
“I urge all stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives like AGRITECH, as they play a vital role in empowering women in agriculture.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, BoluOwotomo, who spoke earlier, promised that the state government would continue to support the Foundation towards ensuring that it realises the objectives and vision of its founder.
