Rural women farmers in Ekebedi Community, Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, have begun embracing modern, eco-friendly farming methods after receiving hands-on training and vital agricultural support from the Hope for Farmers Women and Girls Initiative (HOFWGI) in partnership with the Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD) of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
The practical training introduced participants to innovative agricultural skills designed to restore soil health, boost crop yields, and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Speaking during the programme held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Resurrection Zonal Headquarters, Ekebedi, renowned Soil scientist Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka stressed the urgent need to equip rural women with smart agricultural techniques to enhance food security and farm productivity across Nigeria.
Prof. Onwuka explained key factors responsible for declining soil fertility in the Southeast, including heavy rainfall, misuse of fertilizers, application of uncured animal manure, slash-and-burn farming practices, and continuous cropping caused by land fragmentation.
She then introduced the women to cost-effective, climate-smart methods capable of reviving degraded soils. These included crop rotation, proper manure curing, planting cover crops, leaving crop residues on the soil, adopting appropriate tillage practices, and applying fertilizers correctly. A major highlight of the training was the introduction of biochar, a soil-friendly carbon material known to improve soil structure, enhance nutrient retention, and boost crop performance.
Participants also received hands-on coaching on producing biochar, applying it effectively on their farms, and packaging it professionally for commercial sales—creating opportunities for new income streams.
Beyond training, the outreach provided beneficiaries with practical resources, including biochar samples, liquid organic fertilizers, improved amaranthus and scent-leaf seeds, food items, seed money, and a pyrolysis drum to support continuous biochar production within the community.
Complementing Prof. Onwuka’s session were presentations by health and organic farming experts Dr. Ijeoma Lawretta Princewill Ogbonna and Dr. Ada Ahamefule, who spoke on healthy living, safe food production, and the long-term benefits of organic farming.
In their votes of thanks, Mrs. Iheanacho and Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna thanked Prof. Onwuka and her team for the impactful outreach. They assured that the pyrolysis drum would remain accessible to all women and pledged to support members as they begin implementing the newly acquired techniques on their farms. They also expressed enthusiasm about exploring biochar production as a sustainable micro-enterprise.
The outreach stands as a significant step toward empowering rural women with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to rebuild soil fertility, improve harvests, and enhance the overall wellbeing of their families and community.
