AgroEknor, in partnership with Olutoju, has unveiled “The Springboard Project” to assist female agro-processors in Kano and Jigawa State. This initiative focuses on empowering women by offering essential resources and tools for establishing thriving careers in agriculture. The project encompasses addressing immediate concerns like financing, while also investing in long-term human capital and asset development.
Through emphasizing self-employment as a potential solution, the goal is to decrease inequality and help more vulnerable families achieve financial stability. In Nigeria, where women comprise 75% of the agricultural labor force, acquiring resources and opportunities for growth is a considerable challenge. The project addresses this issue by providing extensive support across five key aspects: consumption assistance, savings, asset transfer, technical skills training, and routine life skills mentoring.
Timi Oke, CEO of AgroEknor, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Olutoju, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate on The Springboard Project, which aligns perfectly with our commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable agriculture. By empowering female agro-processors in Kano and Jigawa States, we are not only supporting individual women but also fostering the economic growth and development of these communities.” Olutoju shares this excitement, as the partnership emphasizes the importance of focusing on women’s economic empowerment.
Wura Solomon Asumah, Founder of Olutoju, adds, “We hope to reduce perpetuating inequalities that have plagued families across generations and hindered the development of our society. The success and expansion of the Springboard project will further strengthen the linkages between social protection and economic development, thus, providing the opportunity to move vulnerable households into the market economy, whilst supporting their journeys into self-sufficiency and improving access to financial services.”
Maryam Abdulmalik, Assistant General Manager of Partnerships at AgroEknor, expressed joy regarding the collaboration, stating, “The partnership allowed us to assess the situations of female agro-processors at AgroEknor, identify potential opportunities, and initiate conversations that enabled female beneficiaries to effectively utilize their earned income through savings and investments in profitable and productive ventures.”
In summary, this stimulating and valuable endeavor aimed at ensuring social and economic inclusion in Kano and Jigawa States marks a significant step toward reducing poverty and inequality in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Through targeted support and empowerment, the initiative aims to create a more equitable and prosperous future for vulnerable women in farming agro-processing communities.
