Women from various communities in Anambra State have benefited from an agricultural empowerment programme sponsored by High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi, Ikenga Umuawulu, in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State.
The programme, at the Women Development Centre, Awka, was organised as part of the August Meeting Empowerment Programme and featured training for women farmers on post-harvest storage processes, as well as the distribution of seedlings and other agricultural inputs.
The training was designed to equip women with practical skills in the proper handling, preservation and storage of agricultural produce after harvest, with the aim of reducing post-harvest losses, improving food security and increasing household income.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, said the initiative was in line with the Ministry’s mandate of empowering women to become economically productive and active contributors to their families and communities.
She said the training would provide the beneficiaries with practical agricultural knowledge and resources that could improve their livelihoods and strengthen their participation in agriculture.
Mrs. Onyekesi urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the knowledge, seedlings and other resources provided, describing the programme as another important step towards achieving the Ministry’s vision of “Our Women Be Empowered.”
The Commissioner expressed profound appreciation to the sponsor of the programme, High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu), for his initiative, generosity and commitment to empowering women through agriculture.
She also commended the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, for providing the technical expertise and training required for the programme.
Mrs. Onyekesi further thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, for his continued support to the Ministry and his administration’s commitment to empowering women and improving the wellbeing of families across the state.
In his remarks, the host, High Chief Dr. Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu), thanked the participating women and representatives of the communities for attending the programme.
He said the initiative was aimed at supporting women in agriculture by providing them with seedlings, agricultural products and equipment to facilitate cultivation, harvesting and improved farm productivity.
He expressed his commitment to keying into the programme and supporting further initiatives that would promote agricultural development, food production and economic empowerment among women.
The programme ended with the distribution of seedlings and other agricultural materials to the participating women, who were encouraged to put the training into practice and use the resources provided to improve their agricultural activities and livelihoods.
