The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has concluded the capacity building and distribution of labour-saving equipment to farmers across 10 states in Nigeria. The training and demonstration sessions were conducted in Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, and Bauchi, culminating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where the final distribution of equipment took place.
The distribution event was attended by village heads, group leaders, extension workers, farmers, and WOFAN project partners. The atmosphere was filled with energy and excitement as participants and beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt appreciation to WOFAN and The Mastercard Foundation for the innovative initiative. They recognized its potential to significantly transform the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
During the exercise, the participants refreshed their knowledge on Good Agronomy Practices (GAP), with specific focus on rice farming. The session also included trainings on farm visits and familiarization with the CommCare App. The facilitators emphasized the importance of safe pesticide use and provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits to the participants, highlighting best practices in handling chemicals.
Throughout the exercise, more than 450 mechanized farming equipment, such as treadle pumps, power tillers, fertilizer broadcasters, multi-crop harvesters, irrigation pumps, and solar-powered sprayers, were distributed to the farmers. The beneficiaries were overjoyed to receive these tools at no cost, describing it as a life-changing intervention. They expressed their gratitude, acknowledging these resources would not only enhance productivity but also reduce physical stress.
According to Mr Attahiru Musa, The Village Head of Gawu, Abaji Area Council, FCT, “This is the first time I’ve seen a solar sprayer compared to the manual ones we used before, the solar sprayer will save farmers a lot of time, stress, and money”.
Hajia Maryam Lawal, Team Lead of WOFAN-FCT expressed gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation: “We are grateful for the outstanding work of the Foundation. Their support has enabled us to reach many women, whose lives have been transformed as a result. Our smallholder farmers are now armed with the knowledge and resources needed to thrive, and this positive change is evident in the smiles on their faces”. She added, “Our activities have gained credibility in the community, and we are proud to report significant positive impact across all our engagements”.
The successful completion of the training and distribution exercise marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of WOFAN to promote efficient and sustainable farming practices in all beneficiary states and the entire nation. The organization remains steadfast in its commitment to driving positive change and making a lasting impact on the lives of rural farmers in Nigeria through innovative interventions that address their specific needs.
The ICON 2 funded by the Mastercard Foundation, aims to empower 675,000 youths, in 10 Nigerian states over a span of 5 years. The project’s primary objective is to help young people develop and sustain livelihoods that lead to an improved quality of life. This is in line with the Mastercard Foundation’s bold Young Africa Works-Nigeria (2021-2030) strategy, which seeks to enable 10 million Nigerian youth including 7 million young women, to secure dignified and fulfilling employment opportunities.
