….promises distribution of farm Tools to participants
Lagos State Government, through the Office of Rural Development, has assured women farmers of the provision of farm tools that would help them in their efforts to increase productivity on their farmlands.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje stated this at the Year 2024 Food and Nutrition workshop organised by the State Government, held on Tuesday at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
The workshop, which is one of the ways the Office equips women farmers with the requisite skills and knowledge needed to improve farming operations in their communities, is geared towards exposing women farmers to information that would help them access credit facilities needed to expand their farming operations with little interest.
Dr. Agbaje applauded women farmers for their contribution to the development of agriculture in Lagos State, adding that the administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will continue to support the efforts of farmers, generally in the State, especially in providing them with equipment that would make their farm operation seamless.
The Special Adviser also assured that in commemoration of the Year 2024 Food and Nutrition Programme, the Office of Rural Development would be embarking on a need-assessment inspection of various farm locations to determine the equipment needed by women farmers.
He also urged women farmers to take advantage of the workshop by ensuring to pay keen attention to the information shared by facilitators, especially in accessing and exploring loan options that would help improve their productivity as farmers.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa commended the women farmers for investing their time and resources into agriculture.
She reiterated the importance of women farmers in the economic development of their communities, especially in balancing farm work with household chores and childcare which can be overwhelming.
The Owner of Abanishe Loluwa Farms, Mrs. Modinat Oluwafunke expressed optimism in the Ministry’s commitment to seeing women farmers advance in their farming-operation efforts. She assured that beneficiaries of the workshop would take advantage of the information they have to improve their farming operations in their communities.
President of the Farmers Association in Epe Local Government, Mrs. Aminat Shade, a beneficiary of the workshop commended the efforts of the Ministry in galvanising women farmers in the State and exposing them to opportunities to access credit facilities for their farm operations.
The event featured presentations from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bank of Industries (BOI) on ways to access loan facilities for agricultural production.