150, women and youths from Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial zone today received starter kits from the distribution of the agricultural support program as initiated by the Office of the wife of the President in conjunction with the Office of the wife of the Governor of Abia State after the completion of their training.
Some of the starter packs handed over to the beneficiaries include wheelbarrow, hoe, knapsack sprayer, hand glove, safety boot, water can, rake and herbicide for maximum yields.
Handing over the kits to the beneficiaries at Umuahia North Local Government Area in Abia State, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti praised the effort of the wife of the President, Senator, Oluremi Tinubu for championing women and youths empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiatives programs.
Agric starter kits
“This initiative embodies our unwavering commitment to empowering women and young people in agriculture, aligning perfectly with our nation’s agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector and enhance food security” she said.
Mrs. Otti also expressed that through the program, the beneficiaries have been equipped with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in agriculture, provided them the tools to enhance food sufficiency, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the growth of our local economy.
According to her, “as one of the First Ladies in the South-East to pioneer this initiative, I am proud to announce that our training program, which commenced yesterday, is carefully structured around strategic pillars designed to address key challenges within the agricultural sector,”
“Our comprehensive training covered organic fertilizer production, animal feed production, rice production, pest control, best farming techniques, and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), all facilitated by highly qualified experts,”
“The starter packs we are distributing today are more than just tools and equipment; they represent hope, opportunity, and empowerment. They symbolize our commitment to supporting our farmers and promoting agriculture in our dear state and nation” she further stated.
Participants at the training
In his remarks, the Coordinator Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abia State, Mr. Alloy Mba reiterated the commitment of the wife of Abia Governor through the renewed hope initiatives to transform lives through agriculture and economic empowerment.
He described the interventions as timely and will surely empower the beneficiaries to contribute to food sufficiency in the country.
However, Mba advised the beneficiaries not to sell what has been given to them but to reciprocate the gesture by making judicious use of the starter packs in their farms.
Meanwhile, some of the beneficiaries from women in agriculture and the young farmers club said that the training is beneficial to them and has open them to diversification in agriculture practices.
In a related development, women and youths from Abia North Senatorial zone also got empowered to focus on agriculture for food sufficiency as an alternative to white collar jobs.
Distributing the starter packs at the Ohafia council headquarters, representative of the wife of the Governor, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere identified agriculture as the foundation of the nation economic wellbeing, food sufficiency and security.
She advised the beneficiaries to harness the opportunity provided by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti to propel their agricultural endeavors to prosperity.
Meanwhile, the desk officer, Abia agricultural program, Mrs. Amarachi Juliet explained that the training were spitted into the 3 Senatorial zone with 4 phases comprising of women in agriculture, young farmers club, every home a garden and 100 youths to be empowered.
