News in Brief:
– Nigeria’s First Lady launched the Renewed Hope Initiative program in Southeast Nigeria to support women farmers and boost food production.
– The program provides financial aid, training, and resources to 100 women farmers per state, alongside supporting individuals with disabilities through its Social Investment program.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Group Programme in Owerri, Imo State. This project aims to boost food production by empowering women farmers in the Southeast region.
The first lady disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi. She reiterated the commitment of the initiative to supporting women farmers across the nation.
Senator Tinubu emphasised the program’s alignment with the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to supporting women farmers and strengthening the national agricultural sector. She noted that this was crucial in achieving sustainable development and food security.
Dual approach to empowerment
The Renewed Hope Initiative offers a two-pronged approach in:
- Financial Support: It will provide â¦500,000 to 20 women farmers per state in the Southeast and an additional â¦10 million to be distributed among beneficiaries in each state through the project’s coordinators.
- Training and Resources: It is partnering with the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to offer training and resources to an additional 80 women farmers per state, bringing the total number of supported women to 100 per state. This includes training on efficient production and farming techniques and the provision of agricultural inputs like fingerlings, poultry, cassava, and fertiliser.
Senator Tinubu highlighted this dual approach as a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges faced by women farmers and increase agricultural productivity.
Additionally, she announced the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment program, which will provide â¦100,000 each to 100 persons with disabilities in Imo State to support their existing small businesses.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and NALDA’s Executive Secretary, Paul Ikonne, both expressed support for the initiative. They recognised its potential in contributing to food security in the state and encouraged more women and young people to engage in agriculture.
