The wife of Katsina State Governor, Zulaihat Radda, has unveiled a sustainable moringa farming programme aimed at empowering 3.6 million women in the state.
The programme under her Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative project is in partnership with the state Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Speaking at the event in Katsina on Monday, she said the initiative would provide women with moringa seedlings and other resources for some years.
According to her, the programme would help in overcoming challenges of food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty and unemployment.
“This project is not just about farming, but about creating a way for us to be economically independent, especially our women and youth.”
She said participating women would receive N50,000 after successfully nurturing their trees over three months.
“The initiative aims at achieving monthly production targets of 34 tonnes of moringa leaves and quarterly production of 50 tonnes of seeds.
“To ensure sustainability, SASHIN will facilitate partnerships between beneficiaries and both local and international markets for regular purchase of moringa products,” she said.
Mrs Radda also noted that comprehensive training and market access support would be provided to all participants.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Prof. Ahmed Mohammed, said they were working closely with the SASHIN to ensure the programme succeeded.
Mohammed explained the programme’s components include seedling selection, planting, watering, harvesting, sun-drying, and packaging of moringa for both local and international markets.
He said moringa farming was suitable for the region.
“Moringa is a highly nutritious and versatile crop that thrives in our climate.
“With the unwavering support of the state government and our development partner, we’ll ensure that this programme achieves its intended impact,” the commissioner said.
He encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity and contribute to the agricultural transformation of the state.
(NAN)
