140 North West women farmers get N70m for Oluremi Tinubu's agric initiative

From Samaila Bayo, Birnin Kebbi

One hundred and forty women farmers in the northwest zone of Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna,Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states have been given N500,000 each to boost agricultural activities in their respective states.

The beneficiaries women farmers are drawn from the various agricultural activities rice production, fisheries, animal husbandry and other areas to drive the sector.

The first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was represented by the wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, in her address said the renewed hope agricultural initiative was to support women farmers in the country to enhance pumber harvest.

She said the maiden edition of it was launched in Imo State for the South East, in Abeokuta for the South West and now in kebbi for the northwest zone to promote women participation in agriculture.

"The Tinubu administration recognizes the important role of agriculture for the sustainable growth of the nation's economy and it's food security", she said

She said each state of the north west zone would get 10m for 20 beneficiaries women farmers. "The first ladies of each state will coordinate the renewed hope agricultural initiative in their respective states with the cooperation of federal ministry of agriculture", the first lady said.

She added that the initiative would not only transform the women lives but will boost the zone's food production and by extension the country at large. 

Earlier in her speech, wife of Kebbi State, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Idris said her office would complement the first lady's initiative with solar pumping machines for the women farmers and 100 persons living with disabilities would get N100,000 each to boost their businesses.

She said Kebbi women farmers would take good advantage of the initiative to boost their various agricultural businesses.

Governor Nasiru Idris in his address said the concept is timely and would stimulate women involvement in agriculture activities across the nation.

"Agriculture is a way of life and women have been paying a crucial role in the agricultural business.

"We must support them to ensure growth and sustainability of the sector and strengthen our industries to drive the nation's growth and development", he said.