FG empowers women, youth farmers in Edo with training

Over a hundred women and young smallholder farmers from Edo State were equipped with essential skills in environmentally sustainable agroecological practices during a recent training initiative by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), the comprehensive three-day training kicked off on Monday, March 25, at NIFOR Benin and is set to conclude on Wednesday, March 27.

Read also:

• 
  Premier movie of MAKEMATION, an AI movie for the youth
• 
  SEC, SMEDAN collaborate to boost small business access to capital markets
• 
  SMEDAN, Kwara governor discuss joint strategy to support MSMEs nationwide

During the inaugural ceremony, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture, stressed the significance of empowering smallholder farmers to boost productivity and ensure food security nationwide. He underscored the program’s specific focus on women and youth within the South-South agroecological zone.

The training aimed to equip participants with knowledge that could positively impact agricultural practices in the region. It emphasized the importance of environmental conservation, particularly in the face of climate change.

Dr. Isona Gold, Acting Executive Director/CEO of NIFOR, welcomed participants to the institute, highlighting NIFOR’s longstanding commitment to researching genetic improvement in various crops. Dr. Gold urged farmers to integrate environmental conservation into their agricultural activities, emphasizing the importance of adopting ecologically sound practices for future generations.

Dr. Solomon Olusegun, Director of Extension Services at NIFOR, along with Mr. Edwin Oko-Oboh, provided insights into environmentally friendly agroecological practices and soil management during the training sessions.

Mrs. Patience Okuahesuyi, Secretary of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SSOFON), Edo chapter, expressed gratitude to the ministry and NIFOR for the opportunity. She pledged to disseminate the knowledge gained during the training within their respective communities, ensuring its wider impact.