Int’l Day Of Rural Women: Prof Mabel Onwuka Trains Abia Women On Biochar

The Director, Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), and the Founder, Hope for Farmers, Women and Girls Initiative (HOFWGI), Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka has trained some Abia women on the production of Biochar and compost for food production.

Prof. Onwuka who also commended women for their contributions towards food security, family nutrition among others, added that achieving zero hunger and eradicating poverty is possible with a collaborative efforts with the rural women who are predominantly farmers.

She stated this in Amafor Isingwu community, Umuahia North Local Government Area (LGA), Abia state in an event to mark the 2023 International Day of Rural Women, maintaining that the priceless contributions of the rural women to food system and community development cannot be overemphasized.

In her words: “They also play major roles in fostering community peace through their well-organized women’s groups”.

She urged women not to relent in their genuine efforts towards achieving food security and making the society better, calling on government at all levels and stakeholders to support the rural women with critical infrastructures needed for a food production

The Professor of Soil Chemistry, who described the 2023 theme, entitled: ‘Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All’, as apt and timely, demonstrated to the women how to prepare compost and biochar in readiness for dry season vegetable cultivation, which will kick off in November 2023.

This, she said, would ensure availability of soil inputs that will help rural women in producing quality and quantity food for their households.

In her vote of thanks, the leader of the group, Mrs. Sarah Nmerifo, thanked Prof. Onwuka for selecting their women group, to be beneficiary of the training in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the Rural Women.

She called for measures to sustain the training, disclosing that they would use the knowledge and skills acquired to improve their productivity.

Highlight of the event was the distribution of free bags of Biochar at the end of the training by Prof. Onwuka.

The International day of rural women is celebrated every 15th October to recognize the part the rural women play in enhancing food security, family nutrition, achieving zero hunger and eradicating poverty among others.