Wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed N70 million to 140 women farmers in the North-west region.
Twenty women in agriculture from the seven states in the zone went home with N500, 000 each.
The money was disbursed under the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme of the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Similarly, she disbursed N100, 000 each to 100 persons living with disabilities in the region.
At the ceremony in Birnin Kebbi Tuesday, Senator Tinubu said the maiden edition of the scheme was launched in February this year in Imo state. It is aimed at encouraging women farmers to grow more food in line with the agricultural agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Represented by the wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Tajuddeen Abbas, Senator Tinubu, affirmed commitment to energise women in agriculture to improve production, including animal husbandry.
“Agriculture plays pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and food security.
“Consequently, we are introducing ‘Every Home a Garden’ competition to encourage each Nigerian woman cultivate a garden at home to feed the family and share with neighbours. We want to see food on every table,” she said.
She said the winner of the competition would pocket N20 million star prize.
In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris announced that his administration has expended enormous amount of money on the procurement of fertiliser, solar and CNG powered water pumps as well as other agricultural inputs which were distributed free to farmers to strengthen agricultural production in the state.
