Tag: WOFAN

The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has commenced the distribution of essential agricultural inputs to 3,000 youth farmers’ groups across eight northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative, launched recently Friday in Kano under the Year 3 activities of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project and funded by the Mastercard Foundation, is aimed  at drawing young Nigerians, especially women, into modern, profitable farming by providing them with agricultural tools, knowledge of best practices, and financial support.

Founder and Executive Director of WOFAN, Dr. Salamatu Garba,  said the support is a one-time startup grant designed to empower youth and women with the tools needed to build dignified, sustainable livelihoods.

The distributed inputs, she said, are intended to support wet season cultivation of rice, maize, sorghum, and groundnuts across Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa states, and the FCT.

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Each youth group received a 50kg bag of improved seeds, four bags of NPK fertiliser, two bags of Urea, and six litres of agrochemicals, sufficient for one hectare of cultivation.

“This initiative is not a loan; it’s a startup grant designed to enhance our youths’ interest in farming by providing access to financial services, best agronomical practices, community savings schemes, and modern agricultural tools and technologies,” she said.

In total, WOFAN has allocated 300,000 kg of seeds, 1,200 metric tons of NPK fertiliser, 900 metric tons of Urea, and 36,000 litres of pesticides for use in the 2025 dry and wet seasons.

At the FCT flag-off, WOFAN’s Business and Coordination Manager, Mr. Taiwo Olawale, highlighted that 80% of the community partners are women. 

He stressed that the program is tailored to remove financial barriers that typically prevent young people, particularly women and persons with disabilities, from engaging in productive agriculture.

WOFAN Director of Strategies and Innovation, Hajia Maimuna Lawal, added that the grants are structured to allow youth to begin farming without going into debt.

“In an economy where raising capital poses significant challenges, the WOFAN-ICON2 initiative provides these grants so that young people can commence farming without incurring debt. The profits they generate can be reinvested in their farms for the next season,” she said.

Beneficiaries were also briefed on the program’s objectives and guidelines before receiving the inputs. One of the recipients, Hajiya Khadija Tijjani from Tudun Wada, expressed her appreciation: “This kind of support is life-changing for women like us. Many people don’t believe women can succeed in farming, but this grant gives us a strong starting point.”

The WOFAN-ICON2 Project, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, targets 675,000 young Nigerians across nine states over five years. 

It aligns with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy (2021–2030), which aims to connect 10 million Nigerian youth, which 7 million of them are women with dignified and fulfilling work.

The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has supported 18,000 young farmers in Kano and Jigawa States with the acquisition of two multi-crop harvesters and twelve tractors, in a bid to boost agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods through its WOFAN-ICON2 project.

The initiative is part of the 2024 dry season intervention, features a high-capacity multi-crop harvester capable of covering up to five hectares per hour, significantly enhancing efficiency and output for smallholder farmers. 

The equipment was made available through WOFAN’s input and equipment revolving scheme, which promotes mechanized farming and increases access to modern tools.

Under the ICON2 project (2022–2024), participating farmers were organized into cooperative groups of 30 members, receiving training and grants to consolidate their operations and invest in shared equipment.

At a formal handover ceremony  in Dorawar Sallau, Kano State, WOFAN Executive Director Dr. Salamatu Garba hailed the progress as a collective achievement. 

She noted that each mega cluster, comprising 3,000 farmers from 100 groups, contributed ₦3,000 per member after harvests during the rainy, dry, and wheat seasons, raising ₦27 million. This represented half the cost of a ₦54 million multi-crop harvester.

Similarly, clusters raised ₦9 million which is 50% of the cost for each tractor, priced at ₦18 million. So far, twelve tractors have been procured and distributed across Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Ikara region.

Dr. Garba explained that farmers will repay the remaining balances using the same contribution model after upcoming harvests. Each mega cluster also received two tractors under the revolving grant scheme to further mechanize operations.

She acknowledged the Mastercard Foundation for its foundational support under the ICON2 Project, which provided essential labor-saving equipment such as power tillers and hand-held harvesters. 

This support, she said, helped reduce the physical burden of farming and encouraged more youth, especially women, to embrace agriculture.

According to Dr. Garba, the project has reached over 675,000 farmers in its five-year span, with notable improvements in productivity. Average farm sizes have grown from one hectare in 2022 to between three and four hectares currently. Mechanization has also enhanced market access, financial inclusion, and income generation.

Women Cluster Leader for the Bebeji Mega Cluster, Hajia Rafa’atu Salis Bagauda, expressed pride in the acquisition of the multi-crop harvester, describing it as a milestone for the women-led initiative. 

She highlighted the training of four drivers and six maintenance technicians per cluster, all connected to certified spare parts dealers, with local parts outlets planned to ensure sustainability.

“This is the first time our community owns a multi-crop harvester and it’s women-led. It will simplify harvesting and generate income through rentals. We feel empowered,” she said.

Sadiya Bala of the Kadawa Mega Cluster, which received a tractor after paying half the cost, pledged that her group would continue contributing ₦3,000 per member per season in 2025 to complete payment. She also committed to ensuring women in her cluster are trained to operate the machines independently by next year.

“These tractors are modern and easy to use. Insha Allah, we’ll be operating them ourselves by this time next year,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Imam of Dorawar Sallau, Mallam Alhassan Haruna, commended Dr. Garba for her ongoing efforts to support rural communities, offering prayers for her continued success and impact.

Funded by the Mastercard Foundation, the WOFAN-ICON2 Project is part of the Young Africa Works–Nigeria strategy (2021–2030), which aims to secure dignified employment for 10 million young people, 70% of whom are women, across nine Nigerian states.

As part of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) marked the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) with a large-scale initiative aimed at transforming the livelihoods of 54,000 underserved women in agro-produce marketing across nine states.

The initiative, which supports widows and street food vendors, seeks to bridge gaps in the agricultural value chain by providing essential resources and fostering financial inclusion. Speaking at the launch event in Kano, Dr. Salamatu Garba, Country Director of the WOFAN-ICON2 Project, emphasized the need for tangible actions to uplift women.

“We must go beyond discussions and take meaningful steps to provide women with confidence, opportunities, and economic independence,” she said.

At the core of the initiative is the distribution of 54,000 bags of rice to small-scale female traders who typically sell less than half a portion of rice daily. Dr. Garba noted that the distribution will take place in three phases to ensure all targeted beneficiaries receive their share.

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The program aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s goal of creating 10 million dignified jobs in Africa by 2030, including one million for Nigerian youth aged 18-35. Beyond rice distribution, WOFAN is integrating these traders into the rice value chain by connecting producers, processors, aggregators, and marketers through its mini-logistics riders initiative.

“This initiative is not just about food aid; it’s about embedding women into a sustainable agricultural cycle that strengthens their businesses and boosts economic independence,” Dr. Garba explained.

A major component of WOFAN’s strategy is integrating women into the formal banking system. In partnership with UBA and other financial institutions, WOFAN has facilitated the opening of 90,000 bank accounts for underprivileged women, providing them with ATM cards and digital payment solutions. Additionally, the introduction of POS systems in marketplaces ensures that female traders can conduct seamless cashless transactions.

“By equipping women with negotiation, marketing, and digital sales skills, we are preparing them to navigate modern financial landscapes and expand their businesses,” Dr. Garba added.

Dr. Garba highlighted WOFAN’s efforts in creating a closed-loop agricultural system. Farmers receive essential inputs such as fertilizer and seeds, cultivate and harvest crops, and women at WOFAN’s processing centers refine the rice using modern equipment. The processed rice is then redistributed to smallholder farmers and traders to stimulate business growth.

“This initiative goes beyond aid—it is a sustainable model that strengthens every segment of the agricultural process,” she stated.

The event was attended by traditional leaders, community representatives, and stakeholders who commended WOFAN’s impact. Professor Sani Miko, Chair of WOFAN’s Technical Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of including marketers in the agricultural value chain.

“WOFAN aims to reach 675,000 farmers and processors in the next five years. However, we have seen that marketers—who are a crucial link in the value chain—are often neglected. This initiative ensures they are empowered,” he said.

Community leaders and beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support provided by WOFAN, with many pledging to extend assistance to others.