Women farmers unveil initiative to support rural agriculture

The Nigerian Women for Agriculture Progressive and Development Initiative has launched the FarmAssure blockchain initiative, a solution aimed at bridging the connectivity gap for rural farmers, particularly women.

Speaking at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting, Conference, and Gala Night on Thursday, NWAPDI President, Omolara Svenson, emphasised the need for continuous innovation to drive economic growth.

Svenson highlighted the importance of this platform, noting the FarmAssure team’s hands-on engagement during the event.

The FarmAssure blockchain initiative is designed to provide farms with their own internet connectivity, ensuring seamless integration into the global agricultural economy.

Addressing accessibility concerns, Svenson explained, “We can’t remain where we are and expect change to happen. The goal is to ensure evolution by working on sufficient internet access at the grassroots level.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, the Director of Programme and Policy Coordination, Ibrahim Tanimu, acknowledged the importance of technology-driven solutions in agriculture.

He noted, “A way of stimulating the development of women in the nation is to identify, nurture, and support initiatives, agro- and agro-allied enterprises to make women and youth grow and prosper.”

Tanimu further emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting women and youth in agribusiness, stating, “An aspect of empowering women and youth in the country is the implementation of programs on youth employment in agriculture, women and youth in agribusiness development, and livelihood improvement, family enterprise.”

The Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Folashade Joseph, reiterated the organization’s role in de-risking investments in agriculture.

“What we do is to ensure our farmers, to make sure that when there is a disaster, we pay their claims on time, and they go back to farming. And this is actually across the value chain,” she said.

She highlighted NAIC’s efforts in supporting farmers through insurance, adding, “So we cannot just spend government money, and if you are not insured we must be sure that you’re actually a farmer.”

She also disclosed that within the last five years, NAIC had provided insurance support to about 500,000 farmers.

Svenson reaffirmed NWAPDI’s collaboration with the government to drive progress in the agricultural sector.

“As you can see today, the entire ministry and the agencies were seriously represented here—from the Minister of State to NAIC, to NEPC, and BOA. So yes, we are working hand in hand with the government.”

On ensuring internet access for grassroots farmers, Svenson explained that the FarmAssure blockchain initiative would allow communities to generate their own internet, ensuring that farmers stay connected with global agricultural developments.

“Though you are in the grassroots and are a farmer, it does not mean that you should not be in touch with what is happening in the rest of the world in the agricultural sector,” she added.