By Victor Nwegede
Launching the RHI Agriculture Support Program yesterday at the Presidential Lodge in Old Government House Abakaliki, the Ebonyi First Lady, Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, said the project reflects the collective commitment of the present administration to boost food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture both in the state and the whole country.
Mrs Nwifuru noted that her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons, BERWO Foundation collaborated with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to facilitate the RHI Agriculture program in the state.
She recalled that agriculture has always been the backbone of the economy and a vital source of sustenance for Nigerian families, particularly in Ebonyi State, calling the individuals, especially the women and young people, to rise to fight against food insecurity challenges.
The Ebonyi governor's wife, however, observed that many individuals, particularly women and young people, face significant barriers that prevent them from fully participating in this essential sector; and assured that "the Renewed Hope Agriculture program seeks to address these challenges by providing targeted support, resources, and training."
She further explained that the project was designed to enhance productivity, promote agribusiness, and create wealth through four major components including "the Women in Agriculture Initiative, Young Farmers Club, Every Home a Garden Campaign and Youth in Agriculture and Empowerment Programs."
She said, "women play a crucial role in agricultural production yet often lack access to necessary resources such as land, credit, and training;" saying that over 100 of them were empowered, through, "training workshops which will focus on sustainable farming practices, financial literacy, and business management skills;" and "access to resources such as seedlings, fertilizers and funds which will enhance productivity."
She assured of providing networking opportunities by connecting women farmers with each other, to help themselves share knowledge and increase economic opportunities.
She described young farmers as the future of agriculture, stressing that the Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Program recognizes this potential by establishing young farmers' clubs across primary and secondary schools in Ebonyi State.
These clubs according to her, were established to provide mentorship programs where experienced farmers would mentor young members to share best practices and innovative techniques.
She disclosed that the clubs would also be provided with uniforms, watering cans and hoes for the club members, saying all activities would be checked by the monitoring team.
Mrs Nwifuru added the skill development which would be training sessions to cover modern agricultural methods, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurship; providing the community engagement where young farmers to participate in community projects that promote local food security.
She noted that empowering youth has become critical for ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector, as the program focuses on engaging youth through training on how to use technology for precision farming and market access; encouraging youth to explore agribusiness ventures such as livestock and pig farming, and providing day-old chicks, piglets, feeds and funds for the youths in agriculture.
Speaking further, the First Lady said: "The Every Home a Garden initiative is an integral part of our program aimed at promoting self-sufficiency among families.
"This initiative encourages households to cultivate their own gardens. A well-fed family is a healthy family. With the Every Home a Garden campaign, we are promoting household food production by encouraging families to cultivate home gardens for vegetables, fruits, and spices. Teaching families how to process and preserve farm produce for long-term use. This initiative will improve nutrition, reduce household food expenses, and encourage self-sufficiency in food production."
Mrs Nwifuru maintained that as the state Coordinator of RHI, the collaboration of its pet project, BERWO Foundation would enhance the capacity to implement the initiatives effectively in Ebonyi, urging all and sundry to expedite action, to empower women, inspire youth, and transform every home into a source of food security and income.
She appreciated the First Lady of Nigeria and the Founder of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Sen Oluremi Tinubu, the state Ministry of Agriculture led by the Commissioner, Princess Nkechinyere Inyioku, her BERWO team and everyone who made sure that this event was successful. She equally urged the beneficiaries program to seize the opportunity by embracing innovation and contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector.
In her address at the event, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, commended Ebonyi First Lady's efforts, noting her husband, Governor Francis Nwifuru has been committed in the area of agriculture to fulfilling his campaign promises to Ebonyi people.
Princess Iyioku also commended the wife of President Bola Tinubu for her outstanding commitment to agricultural development through RHI, the Young Farmers Club, and the Home Grown Garden initiative.
She recalled that the program, which commenced last year, had already trained and empowered women and youths in various aspects of modern farming.
She said that many of the beneficiaries of the program had established their respective farms, enabling them to provide food for families and generate income by reducing financial dependency and easy economic pressure on their husbands and parents as the initiative fosters self-reliance and stability among women and youths.
The Commissioner explained: "This program is dedicated to training and empowering women, youths, and young farmers club members in various modern agricultural practices to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to food security in Nigeria.
"Today, Her Excellency is taking yet another historical step by equipping women with modern skills to grow crops even around their homes for consumption and income generation. As we all know, when there's no food at home, the burden weighs most heavily on the women. A mother's heart is never at rest until her children and husband have eaten. That's why women must grow what they eat ensuring food security, peace and stability in their homes. Also, to considerably curtail youth unrest in society, the youths should be engaged meaningfully as it's often said that an idle mind is the devil's workshop."
The Commissioner stated that the governor's wife has, through these initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, not only fostered food security but also created opportunities for youth employment, economic growth and self-reliance in Nigeria
She commended the Ebonyi First Lady's step in encouraging young people to engage in farming and agribusiness, laying the foundation for a more prosperous and sustainable future.
"Your leadership and passion for national development has continued to inspire many, and I commend your resilience in ensuring that agriculture remains a vital pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda. May your initiatives of stepping down this program to our state yield lasting success and bring positive transformation to the lives of Nigerians, particularly to all Ebonyi women and youths," she said.
Iyioku encouraged participants of the program to pay attention to their resource persons and make the best out of the training workshops, noting that the First Lady would not only equip them with valuable knowledge but also empower the women with yam seedlings, potato stems, organic fertilizers, etc.
She said the youths would be trained and equipped in livestock farming while the young farmers' club members from various schools would be trained in different agricultural practices and empowered to establish their own farms, contribute meaningfully to society, provide for their families and generate income through agriculture.
The former Chairman of Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State, Princess Iyioku equally defined agriculture as one of the most lucrative businesses as both humans and animals rely on food daily for survival, saying Ebonyi State has recognized its agricultural potential and assured of working diligently to eliminate food scarcity in the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Ituma, the State Programme Coordinator of the International Fund for Agriculture Support Valued Chain Development, Programme said it's office collaborated with BERWO and the Renewed Hope Initiative to give maximum support to achieve better results.
"Agriculture employs 70 per cent of our population and we are working today to achieve best practice in the sector," Ituma said.
