Knowledge sharing workshop for women smallolder farmers in Gboko – F5 Tech for Good
Women Environmental Programme (WEP) organized a knowledge-sharing workshop in Gboko on 26th April 2024. The knowledge-sharing workshop is part of the activities under the F5 Tech for Good Project funded by Charities Aid Foundation America (CAF America). The project which has been implemented in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State has the overall goal of reducing the impact of climate change and limiting post-harvest losses through innovative technology. To achieve this goal, WEP trained 100 women smallholder farmers to enhance their knowledge and skills in climate-resilient agriculture and post-harvest management and constructed Solar Dryer Tents.
To gauge the use of knowledge acquired during the training and measure impact, WEP organized a knowledge-sharing workshop to facilitate information and knowledge sharing among participants and other stakeholders. During the workshop, participants shared knowledge on how to produce organic pesticides and fertilizers using neem, as well as how to produce organic manure and compost. In addition to the knowledge sharing, participants gave testimonies of how they have used the knowledge and how it has been useful to them.
“The chairlady of women tomato/pepper sellers, Nguumbur Yaji, has this to say: I produced Neem Pesticides to preserve my water yam before I used chemicals to preserve it, but the training exposed me to the use of neem pesticides. I also practiced other organic farming methods such as composting and sustainable land clearing. I have prepared my compost using the compost pit and I am waiting to apply it on my farm when it’s time to apply. Also, I used the land clearing method that was taught during the training; I left the small grasses and soybean leaves to decompose, and from the color of the soil, I can even see that it has nutrients, and I can tell that this has improved the texture of the soil”.
With the testimonies, it is evident that women smallholder farmers in Gboko are well-equipped with the knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices, especially in the production of organic pesticides and fertilizer. It is also believed that this knowledge will save the cost of farming as the women are exposed to resources and raw materials within their communities that they can use instead of spending money on pesticides and fertilizers.
The knowledge-sharing workshop had in attendance women smallholder farmers, community leaders, civil society organizations, and was facilitated by the staff of Women Environmental Programme: Mr. John Baaki (Deputy Executive Director) and Damaris Uja (Monitoring and Evaluation Manager).
