Enugu: The Federal Government has urged women farmers in the Southeast geo-political zone to embrace sack farming and home gardens to enhance agriculture and food security in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, gave the advice on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ogunbiyi delivered the keynote address at a workshop to sensitise small-scale women farmers and people with special needs in the zone.
He said the workshop aimed to empower smallholder women farmers and people with special needs with the knowledge and skills to cultivate their foods in their backyards.
According to him, innovative approaches to sack farming and home gardening could revolutionise the way foods are produced in Nigeria.
“This method requires minimal space, making it ideal for urban and rural dwellers.
“By adopting these practices, you will improve your household food security and contribute to Nigeria’s food sufficiency,” he said.
Ogunbiyi, whose address was read by Chief Nkannebe Ugochukwu, the Enugu zonal Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, acknowledged the critical role women play in agriculture.
He said, “Women are the backbone of the agricultural sector, and their participation is essential to our success.
“We recognise the importance of inclusivity of people with special needs, and we are committed to ensuring that our programmes are accessible and beneficial to all.”
The permanent secretary said the programme was part of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for Women Support Programmes (WASP) and her pet project, “Every Woman a Garden.”
In his goodwill message, Mr Victor Ngwu, Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, commended the federal ministry of agriculture for holding the programme in the state.
He said agriculture was one of the state government’s priority programmes and urged participants to take the programme seriously.
“I want to appreciate the federal ministry of agriculture for this programme; all of us have to be serious with agriculture,” he said.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the participants expressed appreciation to the organisers for the training, describing it as an eye-opener.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Ogbuonya from Imo was happy about the programme and said the knowledge gained would be well utilised.
“I like the programme because when I return to my station, I will plant in my backyard, “she said.
Another woman farmer, Mrs Nwanoma Nnenna from Abia, said that she could improve her farming with the training.
“Sure, this will improve my farming techniques and productivity,” she said.
The one-day workshop drew participants from the five Southeast states of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, and Ebonyi.
The programme’s highlight was the distribution of starter packs to women farmers and people with special needs.
