The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has organized a specialized training program for women in Borgu, Edati, and Mokwa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State. The initiative focuses on teaching participants how to process rice and cassava into diverse recipes, aiming to enhance their income, nutrition, and employment prospects.
- Training Venue: Edati Local Government Council.
- Facilitator: Mrs. Kolo Joy Teni, IFAD Assistant Agro Quality Enhancement Officer in Niger State.
- Objective: Empower women farmers with food processing skills and startup support to foster sustainable economic growth.
Key Outcomes
- Skills Development:
- Participants gained practical knowledge in processing cassava and rice into value-added products.
- Enhanced skills aim to create opportunities for economic and nutritional improvements.
- Participant Impact:
- Mary Jiya from Mokwa: Plans to launch a cassava processing business.
- Muslimat Mohammed from Edati: Emphasized the training’s potential to improve living standards and support families.
- Knowledge Dissemination:
- Aisha Mohammed Mustafa, an IFAD liaison officer, pledged to transfer the acquired knowledge to other farmers within her council for wider impact.
Significance of the Program
- Economic Empowerment: Provides rural women with the tools and skills to build sustainable livelihoods amid economic challenges.
- Resilience Building: Contributes to socio-economic stability in rural communities by promoting entrepreneurship in agriculture.
- Broader Impact: Aligns with IFAD’s mission to improve food security and foster resilience among rural farmers.
This initiative underscores IFAD’s commitment to empowering women farmers in Nigeria, paving the way for economic growth and improved quality of life in rural areas.
