Adeola Azeez Foundation canvass access to funding, technology for women in Agriculture

Governments at all levels have been enjoined to evolve an intervention method that addresses the concerns and needs of women in agriculture for the country to guarantee self-sufficiency in food production.

Some of the women’s needs were listed to include to access to funding, machinery, as well as agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and feeds, among others.

Founder,Adeola Azeez Community Care Foundation (AACCF), Mrs Adeola Azeez, made the call in Ijebu-Ode at a two days workshop it organised to train women in agri-finance, provisions of grants and tech tools; agricultural fundamentals; record keeping practice and financial management.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Agritech: Empowering Women in Agriculture Through Technology,’ Mrs Azeez stressed the need for stakeholders to address the traditional norms that exclude women from access to vital agricultural resources, especially land.

She noted that if all the accesses were available to women, they would translate into massive investment in women in agriculture in Ogun State and the country at large, thereby accelerating their growth.

No fewer than 150 Ogun State-based women farmers participated in the two-day workshop as part of AACCF’s strategic advocacy to empower the women in agriculture through the transformative power of technology.

Convener of the workshop, Mrs Azeez, disclosed that the event was specifically put together to honour the year 2024 edition of the International Women’s Day (IWD) as well as to specially celebrate Nigerian women’s efforts in promoting a better society “through agriculture and food production.”

Also speaking at the occasion, wife of Ogun State governor, Bamidele Abiodun, urged the women farmers to embrace technology for agricultural development in order to boost food production.

Mrs Abiodun noted that leveraging on technology would enable the women farmers to detect sustainable ways of growing food, ensure food security and protect the environment, thereby impacting positively on the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

“By embracing technology in agriculture, we can enhance productivity, reduce waste, and mitigate the environmental impact of farming practices. This not only ensures food security for our country but also contributes to the global effort to combat climate change.

“Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of women in our communities, empowering them to be more productive, financially independent, and successful in agriculture.

“I urge all stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives like Agritech, as they play a vital role in empowering women in agriculture and driving sustainable development in our communities,” the governor’s wife said.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owotomo, promised that the state government would continue to support the Foundation towards ensuring that it realises the objectives and vision of its founder.

Emphasising that the Foundation’s objective was also in tandem with the vision of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in the state, the commissioner assured that the government will do everything within its capacity to encourage the women and youths to take to agriculture.