Kaduna State government has called on women in the state to engage more in dry season farming and make use of the agricultural extension workers available in their communities.
Deputy governor of the State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe made the call at the distribution of Agricultural inputs and implements to women cooperatives organized by the State Ministry for Human Services and Social Development held in Kaduna.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe explained that, Dry season farming does not only augment earnings but offer better prices, saying that, many women were not aware of the Development.
According to her, the distribution of agricultural inputs and implements received from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to women agricultural cooperatives would go a long way in complementing what the state government is doing.
She said the women would receive improved seeds of rice, maize, cow pea and groundnut, and also implements like wheel barrows, basic hand tools that would help to ease their work on the farms and increase their productivity.
She said government would not relent on it efforts until it change the narrative of women being the poorest of the poor, adding that, women are the most hard-working members in communities.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for the strategic support and assured the Ministry that the inputs would be distributed to the right people.
Dr Balarabe congratulated the beneficiaries of the support and urge them to make judicious use of the seeds and materials.
Earlier, Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Mohammed Baba said 84 women cooperatives would benefit from the seedlings and other empowerment materials.
Hajiya Hafsat Baba explained that, Kaduna State government had consistently made women’s empowerment a priority through financial literacy and inclusion among others.
According to her, growing attention is being given to women entrepreneurship as part of effort of the empowerment agenda and to expand opportunities for them.
Hafsat Baba gave an assurance that, the state government would continue to provide support for improved livelihood of women to alleviate poverty by engaging them in small income generating agro base activities.
In a remark, Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussaini reiterated the commitment of the state government in initiating various programs that would support women farmers and farming activities generally in the state.
The inputs were distributed to the beneficiaries as part of intervention by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to women farmers across the country.
Various women cooperatives received the seedlings and other materials for their members.
AMINU DALHATU