Nigeria celebrates women farmers

They are women, but they have blazed the trail in a trade that is regarded as a man's. Although they have done it in their own small way, the works of their hands have caught the attention of renowned agriculture promoter, Oxfam. Interestingly, they are Nigerian female farmers, who have excelled in their vocation, farming.

Unlike their contemporaries, who would rather wait to market the farm produce, these women are involved in the actual production from the farms. These women have been able to show that farming, which is regarded as a very intensive, could be done with passio for good money.

The feats they have achieved in this modest field of endeavours were celebrated on Friday at Platinum Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Their celebration by Oxfam is part of efforts in encouraging and promoting small-scale female farmers, who have succeeded in agriculture despite the challenges that befall them.

At the well-attended ceremony, which had in attendance stakeholders in agricultural sector, three female farmers from the 12 finalists of the 2014 National Female Food Hero (FFH) Award were rewarded for their tenacity, while celebrating all the finalists for their prowess in the sector.

Marian Buhari, the overall winner, whose farm is located in Kwara State, was visibly elated while speaking on behalf of the awardees. She said: "Farming is tedious for women; but, we thank God, because, women are bundle of perseverance and love. We love what we do, and so, we preserve to succeed.

First runner-up was Monica Maigari from Madakiya in Kaduna State, while Chinasa Earnestina Asonye of Chilo Farms, located in Ikorodun, Lagos, emerged as the second runner-up.

Buhari, on her part, was introduced to farming by her husband many years ago, as they were partners. Today, the mother of five is a renowned farmer of maize, cassava, melon, cucumber, cabbage and fish.

For Maigari, activities of the insurgents in Northern Nigeria is debarring her from performing optimally as she had wanted. But, she successfully harvested 34 bags of rice and 130 birds in 2014. She is an employer of labour and a role model within and outside her community.

FFH, also known as Ogbonge Woman, an initiative of Oxfam International in Nigeria, annually identifies and rewards the most outstanding women farmers. It also removes any stigma and social proscriptions around female farmers.

Source: allafrica.com