Trainees being addressed by Chidinma Ezeh, Program Officer, YPARD NIGERIA
YPARD Nigeria partnered with Roddenberry Foundation to empower rural women farmers in Nigeria in climate resilient agricultural production techniques.
Following the theme of the International Womens day 2024 - #Inspire Inclusion; YPARD Nigeria held the event titled 'Economic Empowerment as a Panacea for Financial Inclusion for Women in Africa'. The event was held on 16th March 2023, in Asher Farms, Ibadan Nigeria where over 100 rural women farmers were trained. The event was was sponsored by the Roddenberry Foundation.
Farming clusters were identified before the event, and representatives from all these clusters were present at the event. The women were taught climate resilient farming techniques in vegetable production and aquaculture. They were also empowered with seeds, fertilizers and other farm inputs. 
Image: Trainees with facilitator IfeOluwa Oyeyemi, FarmHelp LTD, planting with seed trays and cocoa peat
During the workshop, Ifeoluwa Oyeyemi, the CEO FarmHelp Ltd facilitated the vegetable production training session. The women were introduced to new seed varieties, seed trays as growing media, cocoa peat and climate smart techniques to ensure more efficient food production.
Image: Trainees gathered around fish ponds with YPARD Nigeria Country Representative, Akin Showemimo
They participants were also presented with innovative aquaculture techniques by Akin Showemimo, YPARD Nigeria Country Representative. Akin encourgaed the women to ensure their farms were sustainable, and introduced Wofia as an economically viable and nature based solution to tackle the rising costs of fish feed production costs.
Nutrition is a rising challenge the world over, and this topic was also covered at the event. Atinuke Lebile, YPARD Nigeria Board Member, CEO Cato Foods and a foremost nutrition champion in Nigeria, discussed healthy nutrition choices for families, giving the participants suggestions and recommendations. One of the trainees at the event appreciated YPARD for the event, stating that she has seen gaps in the nursing of her vegetables and hoped to imbibe the insights gained at the event at home. She also identified food processing as one of the challenges to avoid post harvest losses. The women representing the farming clusters nominated a leader for the program, following which evaluation and monitoring procedures were discussed and agreed upon to ensure adequate evaluation of the trainees food production after the program.
View clips from the event here.
YPARD Nigeria is open to further developmental work and partnerships. Individuals or organizations inspired by their dedicated community work can support, partner, and collaborate with them on similar projects. For further engagements, reach out to YPARD Nigeria via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The following people were key in planning and managing the program:
Isaiah Akindunbi, Communication Focal Person, YPARD Nigeria;
Olaoluwa Farotimi, South West Regional Representative; YPARD Nigeria
Mrs Betty Showemimo (Development Agenda for Western Nigeria DAWN Commission)