EDO GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES RURAL WOMEN IMPACT ON FOOD PRODUCTION
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EDO GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES RURAL WOMEN IMPACT ON FOOD PRODUCTION
By Adesuwa Louisa E.
In commemoration of the International Rural Women’s Day, the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, on Tuesday, 22 of October 2024, visited the rural women at Unhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Honourable Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Christabel Omo-Ekwu during the commemoration of this year’s international rural women’s day celebration, noted that the state Goverment was aware of the plight of rural women especially those who were into agriculture production, hence the need to celebrate their resilience.
“your efforts are not underestimated, you are bread-winners,change markers and innovators, benefiting our great state immensely” she noted.
Mrs Ekwu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards supporting women farmers, ensuring that their voices were heard and challenges addressed.
On his part, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Stephen Idehenre, emphasized the need to invest in women’s skills, education, resources, and rights to build resilient communities and ensure food security.
In a goodwill speech, the Unhunwonde Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Kenneth Osarobo Adolfo, represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Bright Egharevba, praised the women for their patience and dedication and commended the state government’s interventions in addressing women farmers’ challenges.
Meanwhile, State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senior Agricultural Extension Officers, Mrs. Pamela Aisosa Izevbigie and Mrs Mercy osayomore, gave brief lectures on modern farming techniques for increased productivity and access to finance and opportunities.
Mrs Pamela Izevbigie while encouraging rural women to adopt best Agriculture practices to improve their livestock and crop yield, she adviced poultry farmers to rear birds properly so that women could recover the money spent in feeding the birds.
Civil Society Organization Representative for South-South Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Coalition for U.N Women in Edo state, Dr Louisa Eihomin-Agbonhese said all food systems from crops to livestock depend on the daily work of rural women and they should always be encouraged.
Highpoint of the 2024 international rurals women’s day celebration is the presentation of cartons of herbicide, bags of fertilizers, Nasdaq sprayers, cash token by the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Babara Osobajo to the wife of the the Chairman of Uhunwonde local Goverment, Mrs Uyinwen Osarobo Adolfo to be distributed to the rural women present during the celebration in Ehor.
The Director of Gender Issues, Mrs Irenosen Ihensekien, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the rural women and the host community for their warm hospitality and enthusiastic reception.
According to her, the empowerment program demonstrates Edo State’s commitment to supporting rural women farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
The International Rural Women’s Day is observed every October 15. The theme for this year is “Rural Women Sustaining Nature for Our Collective Future”. The aim is to enhance agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty.
