Tinubu Empowers Over 50 Female Farmers in Oyo State with Farm Implements, Cash to Boost Food Sustainability

… Aims to Promote Food Security, Self-sufficiency Across Nigeria

The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has empowered over Fifty Female Farmers with farm implements and with cash to boost food sustainability and self-sufficiency in Oyo state.

The empowerment program was an initiative of The “Renewed Hope Initiative” and tagged “Every Home a Garden Initiative” which include training for the beneficiaries, donation of cash and farm equipments to encourage women in agriculture.

Speaking at the empowerment program, The First Lady of Oyo state, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde Emphasized the importance of Agriculture in sustaining the economy and driving development.

She urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity, using the knowledge and tools received to establish sustainable agriculture practices in their homes and communities.

Mrs Makinde expressed gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their dedication to grassroots empowerment and food security.

She stated that “Last year, women across the country were asked to submit videos of their home garden, as entries for a competition tagged “every home a garden”.

“The aim of the competition was to encourage each person to have a garden in their homes, where they can produce food that will be sufficient for their families, and by extension, their neighbours. The overall winner of that competition won 25million naira. We also had a winner here in Oyo State who won 2.5 million naira.

“There’s a Yoruba adage, which when loosely translated means “when hunger is removed from poverty, poverty is alleviated”. By cultivating gardens within our homes, we are taking proactive steps towards reducing food scarcity, improving nutrition, and fostering self-reliance among families in Oyo State and across Nigeria.

“The importance of agriculture as a profession and as a way of life, cannot be over-emphasized. It is a sector that has historically sustained our economy and remains a critical driver of development.

“This initiative offers an opportunity to integrate urban and rural households into productive farming, ensuring that no home is left behind in the journey toward a food-secure future.

“I urge all beneficiaries to take full advantage of this opportunity. The knowledge and tools you receive today should serve as the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices within your homes and communities.

“Through dedication and commitment, we can transform our households into hubs of productivity, contributing significantly to the broader goal of food security in Nigeria.

“Let me at this point express my heartfelt gratitude to Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their dedication to grassroots empowerment and food security.

“This initiative is timely and commendable, as it encourages households to actively participate in food production, to enhance food sufficiency.

“I also want to appreciate the facilitators who have educated us here today. Thank you for sharing your wealth of experience with all of us.

“In conclusion, as we leave here, I want you all to take the lessons learnt today as a challenge and an opportunity to transform your homes into sustainable gardens that will nourish your families and communities, she said.

Earlier in his welcome address, The Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Barr. Olasunkami Olaleye, represented by the Director of Finance and Administration Ministry of Agriculture Oyo state, Mrs Florence Fatumbi explained that it is imperative the people to engage Subsistence farming which will make it easier for them to get their needs when they needed it.

He advised women in Oyo state to engage in subsistence farming and utilize the opportunities given to them by the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for self-sufficiency.

Speaking with One of the beneficiaries of the program, A fashion Entrepreneur, who is also into Subsistence Farming, Mrs Olukemi Ashake Fajemiyo commended the initiative from the office of the first Lady which has engaged women on sustainable food security.

She emphasized that if all women can create a farm garden at the back-yard of the houses, it would eradicate food insecurity at the grassroots.

The “Every Home a Garden Initiative” was launched last year, with a competition that encouraged women to submit videos of their home gardens.

The Overall winners received N25 million, while the Oyo state winner received N2.5 million.

The “Every Home Garden Initiative” is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which aims to integrate urban and rural households into productive farming, ensuring no home is left behind in the journey toward a food-secure future.