EDSG Partners With Women Farmers To Boost Food Security
Tracy Ohovwore, Benin city
The Edo State Government has pledged to collaborate with women in the Agriculture sector to promote food security and sustainability.
This commitment was made by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Peter Osagie, who was represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Haruna Thomas, during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Women for Agriculture and Progressive Development Initiative (NWADI) in the Agriculture Hub in Benin City.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing Edo state as a leading Agribusiness Hub in Nigeria, especially in enhancing agricultural development, which will further create employment and other sustainable sources of livelihood.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has revealed its commitment to training farmers in various crop production methods.
“The State has different projects in Agriculture being set up by the World bank under the State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security such as FADAMA -N CARES, Edo Livestock Productivity, and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Edo Rural Agriculture and Market Access Promotion (Edo RAAMP), Livelihood improvement, Family Enterprises Nigeria Delta (LIFE-ND).” He added.
De Osagie further requested that women collaborate with these projects to gain more knowledge and improve their farming activities.
He also assured the group of the ministry’s collaboration, stating that the ministry is not only responsible for policy making but also for implementing government policies in the state’s agriculture sector.
Dr Osagie urged the group to ensure the submission of comprehensive data of farmers registered to the Ministry to enable them to benefit from the State Government when opportunities arise.
He also encouraged the women farmers not to neglect farming on cash crops, such as coconut, cocoa, and oil palm, stating that Edo State is known for cash crop production and its value chain.
Additionally, the President of the Nigeria Women for Agriculture and Progressive Development Initiative (NWADI), Mrs. Tracy Agol, commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security management for granting their request to meet with them.
Mrs. Agol solicited the ministry’s collaboration and support to empower women and youth in agriculture for food security and sustainability, stressing that training women in agriculture would boost the state’s food security.
