NGO Empowers Kano Women On Climate-Smart Agriculture

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kano, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), has trained 50 women on climate-smart Agriculture in the state.

Speaking at the commencement of a training programme at the Industrial Training Fund Centre in Kano, BCAI’s project manager, Ruquayya Abdulhadi, said the programme aims to equip beneficiaries in sustainable practice that could enhance climate resilience and improve food production.

She noted that the programme is carried out in collaboration with ‘fixING’ under the Women Against Violence Empowerment through Sustainability (WAVES) II Project, funded through the Nigerian French Embassy fund for civil society organisations.

According to her, the project would also provide a sustainable means of livelihood, serving as a tool for economic empowerment and a shield to Gender-based Violence for beneficiaries.

While noting that the women were selected from 11 local government areas (LGAs) of the state, she said the climate-smart training would focus on cucumber and okra production with an introduction to climate-smart agriculture, nursery establishment, transplanting process, harvesting techniques and associated post-harvest handling.

“These are crops that can grow in 40 days. We have also provided them with start-up packs consisting of seeds, containers among others, to do the same practicals at home and by that, we expect them to teach other women in their communities,” she said.

The project manager also noted that the nine-months project will further expose the beneficiaries to business development training, GBV and provides them with a platform to showcase products at the end of the programme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Maryam Ibrahim and Mrs Garba Mohammad from Bichi and Kumbotso LGAs, commended the NGO for selecting them to be part of the programme, promising to utilise the skills to build a robust business.