Women-led farming clusters under the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) have begun harvesting vegetables, while clusters of persons with disabilities (PWDs) are preparing to harvest wheat in Garun Malam Local Government Area, Kano State.
This follows a shift in planting seasons and the availability of irrigation farming facilities and training provided by WOFAN. The initiative is part of the WOFAN-ICON2 project, funded in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The program, which employs over 1,800 young men and women across Kano and Jigawa states, includes extensive training on irrigation farming and the distribution of 24 solar-powered water pumps and 48 solar spraying machines. These resources were provided to 60 groups of PWDs and youth, ensuring efficient farming practices and resilience against climate change challenges like floods and droughts.
Through this initiative, farmers can now achieve three to four harvests per year, increasing their income, improving family nutrition, and fostering gender-inclusive partnerships. The program also promotes diversity in agriculture, bridges gaps in the value chain, and enhances food security.
Speaking at a grand harvesting ceremony in Kano, WOFAN-ICON2 Country Director, Dr. Salamatu Garba, emphasized the initiative’s role in securing year-round farming and sustainable livelihoods for rural farmers.
She noted that many farmers in the region previously struggled to sustain their families beyond two to three months after the rainy season harvest, often migrating to cities for menial jobs. This economic pressure contributed to social challenges such as crime and family instability.
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Represented by WOFAN’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Sadik Hassan, Dr. Garba highlighted the economic benefits of irrigation farming.
“WOFAN’s initiative has enabled farmers to cultivate three additional crop cycles between rainy seasons, increasing household income and creating dignified jobs while ensuring women and PWDs are actively engaged in sustainable agriculture,” she explained.
This aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Strategy, which aims to create 30 million dignified jobs across Africa, including 10 million in Nigeria, with a focus on young farmers, especially women, PWDs, and small-scale female entrepreneurs aged 18–35.
As part of this initiative, 300 PWDs in Kano, organized into two clusters, are set to harvest their five-hectare wheat farm under the WOFAN-ICON2 Project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation’s We Can Work program. The expected yield is up to two tons per hectare, or about 40 bags.
During the event, WOFAN officials inspected farms cultivating tomatoes, onions, and wheat. Women-led cooperatives in Garun Malam are utilizing the transition between rainy seasons to grow vegetables, achieving three to four harvests annually.
The initiative has also created employment for farm laborers, mostly women, who earn between ₦4,000 and ₦5,000 daily from harvesting activities.
Kaulat Ayuba Adam, a tomato farm laborer, shared how the program has transformed her life.
“I work in the morning, earning between ₦2,000 and ₦6,000 daily, depending on the workload. By 10:00 AM, I return home and start preparing for my business,” she said.
Saliha Ibrahim, who works on an onion farm, also runs a food business. She credited the farming job with improving her financial stability.
“I make extra money in the morning before starting my food business in the afternoon. WOFAN and the Mastercard Foundation have provided incredible support, and we are benefiting immensely,” she said.
To address transportation challenges, WOFAN introduced logistics tricycles, reducing the cost of moving farm produce to markets.
Aisha Aliyu, speaking for her farming cluster, praised the initiative’s impact.
“In the past, transporting produce after harvest was our biggest challenge. But now, with WOFAN’s logistics support, getting our crops to market is much easier, increasing our profits,” she said.
Abdulrahman Hassan, a logistics loader in Garun Malam, also expressed gratitude.
“Before WOFAN’s intervention, I struggled to feed my family. Now, I not only provide for them but also help others. This opportunity has changed my life,” he said.
PWDs farming on WOFAN-provided land acknowledged the initiative for giving them financial independence and confidence.
Lawan Ali Kura, a wheat farmer in Garun Malam, confirmed that his group is ready to begin harvesting.
“We are grateful to WOFAN and the Mastercard Foundation for empowering us through agriculture. We now have a source of income and are looking forward to a successful harvest,” he said.
With continued support from WOFAN and its partners, farmers in Kano and Jigawa are not only improving their livelihoods but also contributing to food security and economic growth in their communities.