March 21, 2023.
Azonuchechi Chukwu.
In a move to enhance the production capacity of women, the International Centre for Environmental Health and Development (ICEHD), trained more than 100 women farmers on climate-smart agriculture and farming technology in Badagry, Lagos State.
Speaking, the Programme Officer of ICEHD, Miss Mercy Joshua, stated that the reason for the training was for farmers to have the skills, resources and opportunities to deal with climate challenges, increase farm production and improve food security.
She noted during the training themed “Farming Technology and Capacity Building Training For Women Farmers,” that most women were economically left out, cheated and marginalised due to different socioeconomic factors and cultural barriers.
“Women farmers, particularly those in rural communities, this situation is worsened by the adverse impact of climate change.
“Nigeria’s climate is increasingly changing,as evidenced in upsurges in temperature, variable rainfall, flooding, and land degradation, with these changes bringing a gendered impact, as it disproportionately affects women and widens gender inequalities.
“The small scale women farmers lose opportunities, markets, and profits as climate change hits Nigeria.
“With a series of engagements with community leaders, women’s groups and local women farmers in Badagry, ICEHD with support from VOICE embarked upon the one-year project.
“It is focused on empowering Badagry women farmers with knowledge, skills, resources and tools to enable them access economic opportunities, and be equipped with sustainable solutions to address climate challenges,” she said.
She said the training would enhance them to achieve economic justice and the capacity to make their voices on exploitation and marginalisation to be heard.
Mercy stated that the non-governmental organisation joined hands with the Agricultural Department of Badagry Local Government to train over 100 women farmers.
According to her, the goal of the project was to allow women to participate equally with men in using resources and opportunities for economic advancement. Naija247news reports
She added that the schooled women farmers would be given farming tools and a copy of ICEHD book.
She said that the book titled, “Power of Resilience: “Nigerian Women Farmers Share Their Challenges and Experiences,” would broaden their knowledge base.
“The book is a policy advocacy tool to project the voices of rural women farmers in Nigeria, toward reforms in agricultural policy, gender mainstreaming in agricultural budgeting and financial inclusion, to promote the rights of women farmers in Nigeria,” she added. (www.naija247news.com).
