Jennifer Etuh Foundation engages over 1,000 Kaduna women in sack farming, vocational skills

As part of its commitment to strengthen household livelihoods and promote women-led micro-enterprises,the Jennifer Etuh Foundation,a Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO)has trained 1,000 women across Zaria and Makarfi Local Government Areas(LGAs) of Kaduna State under the Kaduna Women Economic Empowerment Project.

Similarly, the Foundation which is committed to expanding into additional LGAs in 2026 is working closely in partnership with several organisations under the Kaduna Women Economic Empowerment Project.

Speaking during the official close-out ceremony of the 2025 implementation cycle on Tuesday held in Zaria, Kaduna State, the

Programme Manager of the Foundation, Mr Joseph Otu, disclosed that the initiative, which commenced in January 2024, is funded by the Bayer Foundation and implemented by a consortium of partners working to boost women’s productivity, increase family income and reduce economic vulnerability in rural communities.

According to him, “We are working closely in partnership with several organisations under the Kaduna Women Economic Empowerment Project which we started in 2024 with sponsorship from the Bayer Foundation. This is our third implementation location after Kaura and Jema’a LGAs, and now Zaria and Makarfi” .

He explained that under the 2025 cycle, 600 beneficiaries were trained in vertical sack farming, while 400 women acquired vocational skills across six trades that included: tailoring, bag making, cosmetology, and 5 hairdressing.

Our Correspondent reports that at the Zaria close-out ceremony, participants showcased vegetables and crops grown from their sack farming structures, while vocational trainees displayed bags, shoes, garments, confectionery and beauty products produced during their classes.

He added that Starter packs and sewing machines were also handed over to qualified beneficiaries.

James Otu explained that the project’s impact is already visible across the communities, because according to him, “The women are driving the project. They are testifying. We can see their produce in the marketplace ready for sale, and some started selling from the onset. That’s the whole idea — sustainable empowerment” .

He then urged the women to use the training not only to uplift their families but also to train others within their neighbourhoods.

“What we expect from the beneficiaries is to multiply what they have been given. Many of them can now stand in as trainers to teach others. Replicating these skills will help empower more women, uplift homes, and strengthen their respective communities.

“Empowering women produces a wide-reaching impact because once you empower a woman, you have empowered the community, the family, and the nation as a whole,” he declared.

He however admitted that despite the progress made, sustaining empowerment programmes of this scale remains capital-intensive.