Offfice of the First Lady Hosts Stakeholders' Meeting on Agricultural Empowerment Programme

Offfice of the First Lady Hosts Stakeholders’ Meeting on Agricultural Empowerment Programme

By Adesuwa Ehimuan

In a robust engagement to boost food supply in Edo State. The Office of the First Lady, convened a stakeholders meeting to prepare for the forthcoming Agricultural Empowerment Programme for women, youths, and children.

The stakeholders meeting was held in Government House, Benin City. Aimed to finalize plans and ensure the initiative’s is successful.

In her remarks, Coordinator Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, underscored the significance of promoting agriculture among women, youths, and children . She outlined a comprehensive plan of activities, “the programme is scheduled for Tuesday, 8th July 2025, at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, Edo State. Women and youth in agriculture and poultry farming, will get the necessary tools and resources to succeed”.

Mrs Anani further stated that the programme is in four segment, “Women in Poultry will get day-old chicks, food, and water containers, vaccines and financial support.

Youth in Agriculture, the initiative empowers youth to participate actively in Agricultural. Farming equipment wheelbarrows, knapsack sprayers, 10kg bags of fertilizer, food and water containers for poultry farming and financial support.

Every Home a Garden, encourages women to plant crops in sacs, buckets or gardens at home using provided seedlings. The best garden will be rewarded bountifully.

Young farmers club, aims at providing children with farmers’ uniforms, seedlings, and regular inspections of their farms. The best participants will receive a cash prize to encourage them in agriculture”.

According to the Coordinator Office of the First Lady, approximately 200 participants (women and girls) will benefit from the three senatorial districts. 40 children from different schools will participate in the young farmers club initiative and 50 youths from the three senatorial districts.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Osagie Aibodefe represented by Mr Igbinedeon, stated that the goal is to educate women on vegetable production and provide them with seeds to grow their own gardens of tomatoes, pepper and vegetables.

The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, HRH Alhaji Bako Ebiredelu Dogo said, the initiative are laudable, if everyone can cultivate the habit of planting in their gardens there will be sufficient food for all.

The stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and All Farmers’ Association, provided valuable suggestions on facilitators, crop selection, and seedlings for the program.

The Edo State Government’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme aims to promote agricultural and food security, economic empowerment among women, youths, and children in the state.