By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Nigerian Association of Women in Agriculture, NAWIA, has reiterated its resolve to championing the course of
implementing programmes, projects and activities that would empower women and youths in the country with the right skills and knowledge to lead productive lives.

The National President of NAWIA, Mrs. Ngizan Chahul stated this Tuesday in Makurdi during the presentation of awards and certificates of recognition to advocacy champions, partners and collaborators of the women advocacy network.

She pointed out that NAWIA which birthed in 1999 with the name, Women in Agriculture Association, WIAA, currently has a membership strength of over18,000 farmers cut across the 36 states of the Federation adding that the organisation had also successfully set up network across four states of Nasarawa, Niger, Cross Rivers and Kwara State.

The National President said, “ours is an association that has the rights and wellbeing of women at the heart of its operations and the year 2024 marks 25 years since we started on this journey of rendering selfless services in the bid to achieve enabling environments for women to thrive and live happily in their families (without domestic violence) and grow well in their livelihood choices (farming).

“We have over these years recorded huge achievements in implementing programmes, projects and activities aimed at empowering the women and youths with the right skills and knowledge to effectively and productively, navigate the journey of life and living with ease.

“We have carried out these efforts through the use of methodologies and approaches such as capacity building for the women in life skills, climate smart agriculture and Good Agronomic practices; education and sensitization of the women on Women Rights and Governance.

“We have also engaged in advocacies that sought for policies and legislations that create enabling environments for the farmers to thrive in their ventures, while also facilitating the promotion and protection of the economic, political, educational, traditional, and social-cultural rights of women and girls.

Earlier, the Benue State Coordinator of NAWIA, Mrs. Mimidoo Chiabee noted that the association had enjoyed good working relationships with the Federal and State Governments as well as relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, of Government in the course of its advocacy.

She said “the association has enjoyed a good working relationship with the Federal and State Government and relevant MDAs partnering at several occasions to implement projects aimed at creating an enabling environment for the farmers to excel in their farming business.

“We have worked together in carrying out enumeration of farmers, distribution of farm inputs, training of farmers through demonstration plots, linkages of farmers to markets, new farm inputs and improved crop varies.”

According to her “we are here today to strengthen our working relationships in yet another angle of our interactions to secure a partnership that would bring about increased productivity for the women and smallholder farmers in general.”

One of the awardees and Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Moses Ogbaji who described NAWIA as the most vibrant organisation he had met since assuming duties regretted that the Ministry had not support the organisation enough.

“But I can assure you that all that will change soon. I promise that we will do more to help you. And I urge farmers to go for improved seedling and not grains as they good into farming for better yields.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Agriculture and Resource Management, Victor Torsaa, noted that NAWIA’s achievement was unprecedented assuring that his office would assist the association attain new heights and access available support and interventions.

Another awardee, the Benue Non-Governmental Organisations Network, BENGONET, represented by the Chairman, Lzarus Mom commended NAWIA for the positive impact it was making in the lives of the people.

Also, the Director General of the Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization, Mr. Terese Ninga assured that that the Bureau would assist the women farmers with mechanised farming tools to improve the annual yield of members.

The Chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Mrs. Becky Orpin who was conferred with the insigna of Advocacy Champion, represented by Mlumun Gever noted that NWIA had recorded uncomom feats and should be encouraged and supported by all for greater successes.

The President of Small Scale Women Farmers Association in Nigeria, SWOFON, Veronica Guma, represented by Rebecca Afatyo, said her association would continue to partner WIAA to improve the fortunes of women farmers “who are key to the production of food in the country.”

The Director of Women In Agriculture, WIA, Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanization, Comfort Sende noted that “NAWIA has been impacting the lives of women in Benue and indeed the country and we will continue to support the association in everyway possible.”