World Food Day: Abuja farmers association extols Oxfam’s agricultural support

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Women Farmers Association, in observance of World Food Day, commends the Oxfam organization for its unwavering support in promoting efficient and productive farming in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The theme of World Food Day 2023, “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind,” aims to emphasize the vital role of water in sustaining life on Earth and as the foundation of our food supply.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Hon. Mrs. Felicia Ukwu Nkiruka, the leader of the association, expressed gratitude for Oxfam’s significant role in their success within the FCT farming sector.
According to her, Oxfam has played a pivotal role in seed distribution and the provision of other essential agricultural equipment.
“As the world celebrates Food Day, we, the Ogbonge Women Farmers Association in Abuja, wish to express our appreciation to Oxfam for their support in equipping us with the necessary resources for farming.
“They have been instrumental in distributing seeds to our women, educating them on optimal methods for achieving bountiful harvests, and providing water pumps to facilitate irrigation, all of which have made farming more accessible.
“In the context of Nigeria, farming is the path to our nation’s progress because waiting for white-collar jobs is futile due to their scarcity. Through farming, we can provide sustenance for the entire nation.”
While applauding Oxfam’s efforts, Hon. Felicia emphasized that to maintain the organization’s impact, the government must ensure security and supply agricultural equipment to support female farmers in Abuja, as Oxfam alone cannot shoulder this responsibility. She pointed out that women no longer venture to their farms due to the fear of attacks by herdsmen.
“As we engage in farming, we encounter numerous challenges. Hence, we call on the federal government to help us combat herdsmen’s activities on our farmlands.”
“The Fulani herdsmen prevent us from farming and have even resorted to attacking our farmers, resulting in increased food prices due to reduced production by the few brave enough to cultivate.”
“I wish the government could address the country’s security issues and provide mechanized farming equipment to enable us to produce sufficient food to feed the nation,” she concluded.
Similarly, a leader of the Small Scale Farmers Association of Nigeria extended gratitude to Oxfam for their support in Abuja, emphasizing the positive impact of the training received from Oxfam’s Action Aid program.
“Oxfam, through its Action Aid program, has provided us with valuable training in organic farming methods, which are recognized as the best agricultural practices. This training has empowered many women within our association to effectively manage their farms.”