The Federal Government has urged women farmers in the South-East geo-political zone to embrace sack farming and home garden to enhance agriculture and food security in the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, gave the advice on Wednesday in Enugu.
Ogunbiyi spoke in a keynote address at a workshop to sensitise small scale women farmers and people with special needs in the zone.
He said that the workshop aimed to empower small holder women farmers and people with special needs with the knowledge and skills to cultivate their foods in their backyards.
According to him, sack farming and home gardening innovative approaches could revolutionalise the way foods are produced in Nigeria.
“This method requires minimal space making it ideal for urban and rural dwellers alike.
“By adopting these practices, you will not only improve your household food security, but also contribute to Nigeria’s food sufficiency,” he said.
Ogunbiyi, whose address was read by Chief Nkannebe Ugochukwu, the Enugu Zonal Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, acknowledged the critical role women play in agriculture.
He said: “Women are the backbone of agricultural sector, and their participation are 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 that 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 that agriculture was one of the priority programmes of the state government and urged participants to take the programme serious.
“I really want to appreciate the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for this programme; all of us have to be serious with agriculture,” he said.
In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the participants, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the training, describing it as eye opener.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Ogbuonya from Imo said she was happy about the programme, saying that the knowledge gained would be well utilised.
“I like the programme because when I go back to my station, I will plant at my backyard, “she said.
Another woman farmer, Mrs Nwanoma Nnenna from Abia, said with the training she would be able to improve her farming.
“Sure, this will improve my farming techniques and enhance my productivity,” she said.
The one-day workshop drew participants from the five South-East states of Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia and Ebonyi.
Highlight of the programme was the distribution of starter packs to the women farmers and the people with special needs.
