Agriculture
Expert Harps On Women Engagement In Livestock Farming
An agricultural expert, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, has called on women to fully engage in economic activities, including livestock farming, leading to increased productivity and resilience within the sector.
Bolarin, the Kogi State Coordinating Office of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), disclosed this in his welcome address at the Gender Training on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Gender-Based violence (Do No Harm Training and the Signing of the Code of Conduct for Kogi L-PRES PIU).
According to him, “these are not just numbers, they represent the lived experiences of individuals, impacting their physical and mental well-being, their sense of security, and their ability to participate fully in the society.
“The livestock sector, which our project focuses on is no exception to these challenges in which case women play a significant role in the sector, yet they often face unique vulnerabilities including limited access to resources, decision-making power and protection from violence.
“Gender-based violence (GBV) not only inflicts direct harm on women, but also undermines their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the livestock sector and society at large”.
He noted that addressing the problem of GBV is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for sustainable development.
He added that when women are empowered and free from violence, they can fully engage in economic activities, including livestock farming, leading to increased productivity and resilience within the sector.
“Moreover, empowering women in the livestock sector has broader implications for development. Women are not just beneficiaries, they are agents of change and key drivers of progress in their communities.
“Today’s training and the signing of the Code of Conduct represent a step towards creating a safer, more inclusive, and equitable environment for all.
“By committing to PSEA, GBV prevention, and Do No Harm principles, we are laying the foundation for a more just and prosperous future, where every individual can thrive regardless of gender.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to all our partners, trainers, and participants for their unwavering support and dedication to this cause. Together, let us work tirelessly to eliminate GBV, empower women, and build a brighter, more inclusive future for Kogi State and its livestock sector”, he stated.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Hajiya Lami Zaratu Lawal, commended Kogi L-PRES for the proactive steps taken to implement the Project in the State.
On her part, the National Gender Based Specialist of L-PRES, Mariam Ademu, said World Bank has zero tolerance for GBV, saying the training was to equip the Project Implementation Unit with the challenge of gender inequality.
In her presentation, the Executive Director, Challenged Parenthood Network, Ms. Eunice Agbogun, said Lack of access to land, cultural norms and social barriers, among others, are inimical to women participation in livestock farming, adding that empowering of women is key to reducing GBV in Nigeria.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
