In a remarkable leap towards gender-inclusive economic development, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has embarked on a pioneering program designed to support women cooperatives engaged in profitable and sustainable rice production in collaboration with Green Agriculture West Africa Limited, a subsidiary of China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC).
 
The program's pilot phase is set to empower 2,000 women from seven states namely Jigawa, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kano, Anambra, Niger and FCT across the Federation through the establishment and facilitation of cooperatives. Notably, these cooperatives will also serve as mentoring platforms for aspiring women rice farmers, with apprentices constituting 50% of the cooperative membership.
 
The program's kickoff was marked by a two-day "Train the Trainers" program, held in collaboration with the CGC Nigeria Limited at the Nigerian Agricultural Demonstration Center in Ushafa, Bwari Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This training initiative is a crucial component of the broader strategy to equip women with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in profitable rice production.
 
In a gesture of support, the Managing Director, Mr. Wang Xiemin pledged to donate high-yield rice seedlings to the cooperatives once their lands are prepared, further enhancing the women's capacity to engage in sustainable farming practices. He also indicated that the company will step up the collaboration on more agricultural trainings and other partnerships across various agricultural chains which will extend to peanuts, corn, cassava, vegetables and other agricultural products.
 
During the closing ceremony, The Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering interest and support for women's economic empowerment. She also expressed her gratitude to CGC for their support and dedication to the cause, emphasizing the pivotal role such collaborations play in advancing women's development.  Barr Uju seized the opportunity to call for increased cooperation and support from both public and private stakeholders to further amplify the impact of the program.
 
A highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the newly certified trainers, who will play a pivotal role in disseminating knowledge and expertise within their respective cooperatives. This not only acknowledges their commitment but also symbolizes a tangible step towards building a network of skilled and empowered women in the rice production sector.
 
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is optimistic that this program will contribute to the economic empowerment of women and foster sustainable growth in agribusiness aligning with broader national development goals. As the program progresses, it is expected to serve as a model for future initiatives aimed at empowering women in various sectors of the economy, driving positive change, and fostering inclusivity.
 
Ohaeri Osondu Joseph, Fnipr, fcai
Special Assistant, Media

Good initiative