Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has empowered 60 small-scale women farmers and individuals with special needs through training on sack farming and home gardening, providing them with essential farming tools and seedlings.
The initiative took place on Friday during a one-day workshop held in Ibadan for participants from the Southwest Zone.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, speaking through Mrs. Temitayo Alao, the ministry’s southwest zonal coordinator, highlighted the innovative potential of sack farming and home gardening in transforming Nigeria’s food production.
He emphasised that these methods require minimal space, making them suitable for both urban and rural settings.
“By adopting these practices, households can not only enhance their food security but also contribute significantly to national food self-sufficiency,” Ogunbiyi remarked.
He further praised women as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, stressing the importance of their involvement alongside people with special needs in driving the sector’s growth.
“With dedication to sack farming and home gardening, we can foster a sovereign agricultural nation where we grow and consume our produce,” he added.
Mrs. Zara Kachallah, Director of Special Duties at FMAFS, explained that the programme aligns with the ministry’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development.
She linked the training to Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s “Every Home a Garden” project and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Women Agricultural Support, which aims to equip rural women and people with special needs with vital agricultural skills.
Dr. Perpetual Iyere-Usiahon, the workshop facilitator, described sustainable home gardening as an environmentally friendly farming practice that supports food security and biodiversity while conserving natural resources.
She highlighted its benefits in providing fresh produce, fostering a closer connection to nature, and reducing dependence on external inputs.
The ministry’s state director, Mr. Oluwatoyin Adefesobi, affirmed the workshop as part of ongoing efforts to empower rural women in various communities, underscoring the potential of sack farming and home gardening to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
Among the participants was Mrs. Kehinde Babalola from Ogun State, who expressed enthusiasm about learning innovative techniques to achieve better yields through home gardening and sack farming.
Each participant received a starter pack containing seedlings, a hand shovel, and other farming tools to support their new ventures.
