Feed The Nation Women Farmers Association has called on more women to invest in agriculture as a way to end poverty and boost food security.
The chairperson of the association, Olubukola Ladeinde, made this known yesterday at Laderin, Abeokuta Ogun state, calling on women in small and large scale farming to join the association for opportunities in agricultural sector to make our nation food sufficient.
She emphasized the important role of farmers in the wellbeing of every individual in the society, saying “when there is no farmer, there is no nation”.
The chairperson added that no serious nation relegate agriculture to the background for white collar jobs , saying “farming is a noble job and an essential one too. Without farmers we would not be living. So people should not look at farming with disdain or as a dirty occupation.
Farming consist of several aspects that contribute to the production of crops, livestock, and other agricultural products.”
She also added that, “you can even go into Agric business and marketing and you may not even have to step into a farm. You get customers for the farmers, get the produce from the farmers and you sell and deliver such goods to final consumers. You can even build an application where you get farmers and consumers and make a lot of money from it.”
A non governmental organization, Heifer International Nigeria was also at the meeting to train farmers in skills, innovation and agricultural opportunities.
The representative of the NGO, Mr Taiwo Onifade called on more members of the society to see agriculture as a means to end poverty and strengthen our food security.
Dr Oladunni Ladeinde, a naturopath and integrative medical practitioner encouraged members to take proper care of their health, particularly consuming some of their nutritious produce before converting to cash.
She lamented that many farmers believed that the best is to be sold, while the rest is for home consumption, which she said should not be so.
Dr Ladeinde encouraged women farmers to always check their blood pressure, take their medications and always rest when they are tired. She encouraged them to take water more often when working, especially with the present hot weather.
Also, a nurse who is also a member, Matron Olasumbo Olujimi told the women to always take care of their body especially when there is an accident while working. She said farmers should endeavor to see a physician even after first aid treatment in the farm, noting that taking TT injections is compulsory any time we sustain a cut injury.
An herbal doctor and specialist , Dr Muili Salimot emphasized on organic cultivation and farming. She said there are so many natural plants, methods of protecting the crops against pest, instead of the use of chemical pest control. She added that these natural pest control has little or no side effects on plants compared to chemical pest control with negative side effects on the consumption of such crops.
Members at the meeting came from Mowe, Kobape, and Laderin areas of Obafemi Owode local government of Ogun state.