By Funmilayo Fabunmi
The Ogun State Chapter of the SheFarmers Initiative has been launched as part of efforts to support female farmers.
The Permanent Secretary of Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, who was among the officials of government that witnessed the occasion, commended the initiative and promised that government will connect them with opportunities within the agricultural sector.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, to improve the livelihoods of its citizens and deepen their involvement in agriculture.
Mr. Adeogun highlighted past initiatives where women in the cassava value chain were empowered with production inputs and financial backing, and he announced plans for a budget allocation to further empower women in agriculture.
In his inaugural address, Managing Director of IDEAS CENTRE, Mr. Olusegun Dada, emphasised the significant potential of the SheFarmers initiative in empowering women in agribusiness. He underscored that women are essential for sustainable development programs, citing their creditworthiness, stability, and family-oriented nature as attributes that make them indispensable tools for driving economic growth. Mr. Dada remarked, “IDEAS Centre sees women as pillars of sustainability.”
The SheFarmers Initiative, Ogun State Coordinator, Alhaja Olukemi Ogunmoye, while delivering the inaugural address, highlighted the pivotal role of women in driving innovations and technology in agriculture.
She emphasised that integrating technology, education, and innovations enables women to propel sustainable agricultural practices, boost rural economies, and ensure food security. She said, “Women are catalysts for progress in the agricultural sector.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, assured the SheFarmers of the State Government’s support and encouraged them to embrace innovation, modern technologies, and effective articulation of their demands.
The National President of SheFarmers Initiative, Temitope Ande, advocated for robust support for women in agriculture, especially rural women, to enable them to adopt mechanized farming and modern agricultural technologies. She stressed the importance of viable markets for their products and services and called for measures to enhance the economic viability of agriculture.
