UN Women Empowers Rural Women Farmers In Ebonyi With Sustainable Agricultural Initiatives

Abakaliki, Ebonyi State- UN Women has taken significant steps towards empowering rural women farmers in Ebonyi State through a series of initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, improving household incomes, and promoting sustainable development.

The organisation distributed fertilizers and improved rice seedlings, and launched a Low-cost Biogas Production Project, all designed to support food security, gender equality, and climate action.

“UN Women is thrilled to be supporting women in the rice value chain as part of a larger Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) program,” said Ms.

Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS. “This program directly aligns with Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes investing in the agricultural sector.”

The initiatives have been met with enthusiasm by the beneficiary women farmers. “For years, we have been farming just to survive,” one woman farmer expressed.

“Now, our farming is a business thanks to this support.” Another beneficiary echoed these sentiments, highlighting the positive impact on the lives of women and girls.

In addition to agricultural support, UN Women launched the innovative Low-cost Biogas Household Production Project.

This project provides rural women with a clean and sustainable energy source, reducing their reliance on fuelwood and its associated health risks.

Training on the use and maintenance of biogas technology was provided to 250 beneficiaries in August, and further training for local artisans and agricultural extension workers will ensure the project’s sustainability.

“We hope to collaborate with the government to ensure that more rural women benefit from this transformative technology,” stated Ms. Eyong, emphasising the need for increased partnership and funding to expand the biogas project’s reach.

The event, held on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, also served as a platform to strengthen advocacy and awareness around the biogas technology.

UN Women’s efforts in Ebonyi State demonstrate their commitment to rural development and women’s empowerment, addressing economic challenges and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both women and their communities.

The event was attended by key stakeholders including Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative, representatives from the Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, Agriculture, Human Capital Development, and Environment, Traditional Rulers from Ebonyi state, and women rice farmers who benefited from the fertilizer and rice seedling project.

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The organisation works to promote women’s rights and economic participation across Nigeria and beyond.