By Justina Auta
Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Women Affairs, announced that the Federal Government has partnered with the state of Atlanta in Georgia to produce Nigeria-grown plants, aiming to boost women’s revenue and reduce poverty.
Kennedy-Ohanenye, at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, explained that the partnership focused on planting special crops such as sunflower, hibiscus, and jatropha, among others.
She emphasised that women’s empowerment will address issues like out-of-school children, early marriages, negative social and cultural norms, Gender-Based Violence, and other vices.
According to her, some loans received in the name of Nigerian women for their empowerment and benefits do not favour them, hence the need to explore alternative funding sources.
“We don’t want to continue with loans anymore… except for interest-free loans obtained by the President,” she said.
The minister revealed that an agreement had been reached with the Atlanta state in Georgia to plant crops like sunflower, hibiscus, and Jatropha, which they would purchase, generating millions of dollars.
She said that the ministry had commenced farming on 800 hectares of land, planting rice on 500 hectares in Anambra, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Kaduna, and Plateau states, and corn on 100 hectares in Abuja.
Kennedy-Ohanenye noted the inadequate storage system, contributing to poverty and hunger, and announced plans to unveil a programme for women on Oct. 15, 2024, at the villa.
“Empowering a mother can impact 20 people,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Johnbosco Onunkwo, Chief Executive Officer, JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation, described the partnership as a comprehensive package with diversification for multidimensional support, with technically and commercially advanced machines to support the initiative.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA