1 week ago
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ABUJA – The Founder/National Coordinator of Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative(NWAPDI), Omolara Svensson, has said that President Bola Tinubu- led administration is intentional in repositioning agricultural sector to attain food security and economic development.
Svensson, who stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the NWAPDI, said the administration has shown strong support to women and youth in agriculture for socio-economic development of the country.
While commenting on the activities of NWAPDI in the last one year, she revealed that the organisation has empowered women farmers and youth in the 36 States of the Federation and Abuja, with farm inputs and implements.
She assured that NWAPDI was irrevocably committed to changing agribusiness narrative for women farmers and youth in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of NWAPDI also unveiled the plans for 2025, aimed at using technology to drive Nigeria’s agricultural sector to global standards.
Some of the key initiatives, according to her, include, “AgriCert, an escrow account with the Isle of Man government designed to bridge gaps between off-takers and farmers, enhancing commodity exports.
“Real-Time Farming App is a cutting-edge application providing traceability, crop monitoring, and real-time data for women in farming.
“FarmRNG Project, an initiative which promises to revolutionise the agricultural landscape with advanced technology and sustainable practices.”
Svensson,therefore,urged women from all walks of life to join NWAPDI by visiting their official website and registering.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, commended NWAPDI for the significant progress made.
Abdullahi represented by Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu, Director, Programme and Policy Coordination, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the empowerment of women and youth is the pathway to economic growth in Nigeria.
He stressed the need to grow Nigeria’s economy through agriculture, without compromising safety and quality of food production.
He further underscored the need to strengthen research and collaboration through public-private partnership to create jobs for teeming women and youth in the country.
In an interview with newsmen, Mrs. Folashade Joseph, Director General of Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation(NAIC), said the Corporation has insured over 500,000 farmers in the last five years.
Joseph explained that one of the mandates of NAIC is to protect Nigerian farmers from natural disasters and diseases, and to promote agricultural production.
She revealed that the Corporation de-risks the investments of farmers, adding that farmers are expected to pay 50 percent of their premium, while the Federal Government through NAIC pays the balance of 50 percent.
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