She Grows Her Food Initiatives is a non-governmental organization empowering women with smart agricultural techniques to achieve food security. The organization recently launched the “GrowSmart Training Programme” in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, focusing on home gardening and sack farming.
The initiative trains women in planting and harvesting local crops such as yam, water yam, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, cucumber, pepper, and okra. This approach encourages self-sufficiency and reduces reliance on food sources from other parts of the country.
During the program’s flag-off, Dr. Rita Mary Okoro, the Ebonyi State Head of Service, praised She Grows Her Food Initiatives as a crucial way for women to help feed their families during tough economic times. She urged participants to share their new skills with others to spread the benefits of smart gardening.
Princess Comfort Nweke, the National Coordinator for the organization, explained that the goal is to equip women in all 13 local government areas of the state with the skills and resources needed to grow their own food. This fosters self-reliance and ensures long-term well-being for their families. She encouraged beneficiaries to use any available land to plant crops and help their husbands with the high cost of living.
An agronomist, Mr. Victor Nwalukwu, provided a step-by-step guide to successful gardening and sack farming, emphasizing the importance of good soil, quality seedlings, and compost manure.
Mrs. Adaeze Onwe, a Senior Trade Promotion Officer, commended the focus on organic manure, highlighting that it’s healthier and makes produce more suitable for export. Similarly, Mrs. Nkem Igwe, representing the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, called the initiative a vital way for women to actively contribute to their family’s upkeep.
Participants like Mrs. Cicilia Obiya, Mrs. Victoria Eluu, and Miss Chinasa Akachukwu expressed their enthusiasm and promised to put their new skills into practice immediately.