Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Federal Government has carried out a one day training workshop on Sack Farming and Home Gardening for South-East women farmers and people with special needs.
During the training held in Enugu on Wednesday, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, urged women farmers in the geopolitical zone to embrace sack farming and home gardening to enhance agriculture and food security in the country.
He said that the workshop aimed to sensitise small scale women farmers and people with special needs in the region on sack farming and home gardening.
He said the workshop also aimed to empower small holder women farmers and people with special needs with the knowledge and skills to cultivate their food in their backyards.
According to him, sack farming and home gardening innovative approaches could revolutionarize the way foods are produced in Nigeria.
“This method requires minimal space making it ideal for urban and rural dwellers alike.
“By adopting these practices, you will not only improve your household food security but also contribute to Nigeria’s food sufficiency,” he said.
Ogunbiyi, whose address was read by Chief Nkannebe Ugochukwu, Enugu zonal Director, ministry of agriculture and food security, acknowledged the critical role women play in agriculture.
He said: “Women are the backbone of agricultural sector, and their participation is essential to our success.
“We recognize the importance of inclusivity of people with special needs and we are committed to ensuring that our programmes are accessible and beneficial to all.”
The permanent secretary said the programme was part of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) for Women Support Programmes (WASP) and her pet project: “Every Woman a Garden.”
In his goodwill message, Mr Victor Ngwu, Permanent Secretary Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture commended the federal ministry of agriculture for holding the programme in Enugu State.
He said that agriculture was one of the priority programmes of the state government and urged participants to take the programme seriously.
“I really want to appreciate the federal ministry of agriculture for this Programme; all of us have to be serious with agriculture,” he said.
In separate interviews with newsmen some of the participants at the event expressed appreciation to the organisers for the training, describing it as an eye opener.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Ogbuonya from Imo said she was happy about the programme saying that the knowledge gained would be well utilised.
“I like the programme because when I go back to my station, I will plant at my backyard,” she said.
Another woman farmer, Mrs Nwanoma Nnena from Abia said with the training she would be able to improve her farming.
“Sure, this will improve my farming techniques and enhance my productivity,” she said.
The one day workshop drew participants from the five states of the South-East including Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Abia, and Ebonyi.
Highlight of the programme was the distribution of starter packs to the women farmers and the people with special needs.
