By Felicia Imohimi

The Family Life and Community Health Society (FLACHS), under the Development Research and Projects Centre’s (dRPC) NGO Support Initiative (NSI), has commenced the distribution of hybrid cowpea seeds to women farmers in Lokotiye Community, Nasarawa.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Elijah Ahman, representing the Executive Director of FLACHS, Mrs Ene Ochegbudu, called the initiative timely.

He noted that women constitute the backbone of agricultural production in the state.

“Our goal is to help women increase yields, improve household food security, and strengthen income and resilience.

“This is not just about distributing seeds, it is about sowing hope, building stronger communities and promoting equality in agriculture,” he said.

Ahman decried women farmers’ limited access to quality seeds, reliance on traditional methods, and vulnerability to climate change.

He said the project, ‘Empowering Women Farmers in Nasarawa through Climate-Resilient Seed Access and Sustainable Agriculture’, would support 100 women farmers, including widows, with hybrid seeds and climate-smart training.

He commended the community leaders for their support, noting that the project would also help women form cooperative groups for sustained impact.

Mrs Ene Ochegbudu, who also serves as FLACHS NSI Project Director, said the project is being implemented in two clusters and is valued at N5 million.

“This intervention targets poor women often excluded from access to agricultural inputs. Beyond seed distribution, it aims to enhance food security, economic stability, and community development,” she said.

She explained that each woman would receive a seed package worth over N20,000, enough to cultivate one and a half plots of land.

The hybrid variety, Sampea11, sourced from a national research institute, is known for high yield, early maturity, and resistance to Striga and drought.

“With proper management, each beneficiary can expect a grain yield of 300 to 375 kg,” Ochegbudu added.

Also speaking, Mr Joe Dikko, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture, Karu Local Government Area, commended FLACHS and dRPC, urging the beneficiaries to utilise the seedlings judiciously.

Chief Ibrahim Shekwagu, Head of Lokotiye Community, said the intervention would help resource-poor farmers expand their productivity, adding that the gesture was the first of its kind in the area.

He urged the women to make good use of the opportunity and ensure the donors’ efforts are not wasted.

Other community leaders, including Mr Godwin Ukadike and Mr Gbenga Iwalami, lauded the project, saying it was a life-changing initiative.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Rebecca Katmi, expressed gratitude, saying she had been worried about securing funds for seeds before the intervention.

“We are very grateful for this support. May God bless the organisations behind this,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade