Cross River’s Renewed Hope Agriculture Support Programme to Empower Women and Youth in Agriculture
The Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, has finalized plans to empower women and young farmers through the Renewed Hope Initiative Agriculture Support Programme. This initiative is designed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices and contribute significantly to national food security.
In a press briefing held at the Solomon Uno Lodge in Calabar, Mrs. Faith Okon-Egbujiem, Press Secretary to the Office of the Wife of the Governor, revealed that the programme will offer participants the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures while boosting local and national food production. The Renewed Hope Initiative, which aligns with the broader vision of First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, seeks to strengthen the agriculture sector and ensure food security across Nigeria by supporting women and youth farmers.
The programme includes four main initiatives: the Women Agricultural Support Programme, Youth Agricultural Support Programme, Every Home a Garden, and Young Farmers Club. Through these initiatives, Cross River State will empower women farmers, support young farmers, promote garden farming in every home, and revitalize the Young Farmers Clubs.
The support programme will benefit 320 individuals across the state’s three senatorial districts, with participants specializing in Crop Production, Fishery, Poultry Production, and Baking and Confectioneries. Additionally, 30 schools in the state will benefit, with fishery participants receiving juvenile fish, fiber tanks, feeds, and medications, while poultry producers will receive day-old chicks, starter and finisher feeds. Those involved in crop production and “Every Home a Garden” will be provided with improved maize, okra, pumpkin seeds, organic fertilizer, watering cans, and herbicides.
The key focus of these initiatives is to improve skills, enhance food production, and promote better farming practices. The programme also encourages every household in Nigeria to cultivate a garden to enhance food security and generate income from surplus yields. Moreover, the revitalization of school farming aims to inspire students to pursue agriculture as a career.
Mrs. Faith Okon-Egbujiem stated that the programme’s successful implementation is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Cross River State, and the State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, in collaboration with the office of the wife of the governor. She called on all stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and NGOs, to support the initiative for its smooth execution.
Dr. Comfort Oko, Senior Special Adviser Administration, revealed that N68,913,515.50 has been allocated for the programme’s implementation. Mr. Asim Eta Asim, State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, added that experienced resource persons would provide the necessary training to ensure beneficiaries can add value to their chosen agricultural activities. Mr. Kenneth Anam, Special Assistant for New Media and Communication, mentioned that 10 schools from each senatorial district would be selected to participate in the Young Farmers Club, with plans for more schools to be added in the future.
