…Ask for 200 hectares of farm land in each state
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Igbo women under the aegis of Igbo Women Assembly, IWA, have announced a two-day agro-export summit to sensitise Igbo women on the export of farm produce, and to give them opportunity to become more innovative in their agribusiness.
IWA has equally urged South-East Governors to make available, 200 hectares of farm land in each state which would be used as farm clusters by women.
According to IWA, its intention for the 1000 hectares of farm land, is to engage 50,000 women in commercial farming across South-East, per annum, with a multiplier effect of generating additional 20, 000 new jobs per state every year.
This was contained in a press statement by the President General of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie; and the Director of Media and Publicity, Odoziaku Nonye Aduba.
According to the statement, the agro export summit scheduled for Universal Hotel, Independence Layout Enugu, is expected to provide food security and boost agro businesses among women in the South-East.
IWA which noted that African women are integral part of the agriculture sector, said time had come to empower Igbo women for self reliance to depend less on their husbands.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline, read: “The agro-summit will help to improve the livelihoods of women in agribusiness either through growing business revenue for women entrepreneurs, producers and job creation for women across the agriculture value chain,” the statement said.
“IWA yearns to obtain attention to support women in agribusiness, not only increasing the livelihoods of the vendors, workers and suppliers in a particular trade, but to support women in manufacturing, and exportation of farm produce that form modern practices, to create all-inclusive value chain.
“The summit is based on a challenge fund model, with a few reforms to address fundamental barriers that limit women’s access to finance; the production of suitable food crops to meet the needs and changing taste of the growing population as well as to increase the quality and efficiency of producing the major export crops as demanded by the world market.
“The business models will also facilitate women to take advantage of economic opportunities by upgrading their current roles or taking on new roles as well as generate innovations in practices and processes that will create a more inclusive value chain.”
According to the statement, the event will be chaired by former Vice Chancellor of the Imo State University, IMSU, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie; while former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and Professor Stella Okunna, are part of the expected dignitaries at the zonal event.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include: Macpherson Aideloje, Fred-Iloegben, (MGIT) Regional Coordinator Nigeria Export Promotion Council South-East Region; Ag. Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike Umuahia, Dr Godwin Asumugha; Prof J Chidozie Chukwuokolo; and Ifeoma Uzo-Okpala, Executive Director, ED, Large Enterprise Bank of Industry.
According to the statement, highlights of the two-day summit include, workshop, training, exhibitions, round table discussion and other engaging activities.
It added that 50 delegates are expected from each of the five tates in the South-East.
