The Royal Pearls Women Group in Ugep, Yakurr LGA, Cross River State, has empowered 150 indigenous women in the area through the distribution of improved seeds/seedlings to them for the current farming season.
Seeds/seedlings distributed include improved pumpkin, cucumber, maize, pepper and egusi seeds as well as high yielding cassava stems.
Teyojesam Eko, Executive Director of the group, informed at the occasion that, the group’s initiative is meant to help the women create their own wealth and focus on planting indigenous crops that are well-adapted to the local climate. She also added that this initiative will further provide a solution to the challenges faced by rural women in Ugep, engaged in subsistence farming, by leveraging on “Kojinnoh”, their own cultural practice of cooperative farming.
“Kojinnoh”, is an agricultural practice where rural women take turns working on each other’s farms as a form of reciprocal labour exchange. This practice is deeply rooted in many rural communities of Yakurr. “It is the objective of the Royal Pearls Women Group to key into this communal farming spirit with a view to turn it into a more structured cooperative farming practice, with specific goals such as planting more climate resilient crops mentioned above; improving agricultural practices; ensuring sustainable and efficient food production and promoting economic empowerment among the Ugep people in general, and the rural women farmers in particular”, she said.
Eko again disclosed that these indigenous crops have been cultivated for generations and have adapted to the specific climate and soil conditions of the Ugep region. “They play a crucial role in the local economy and contribute significantly to the food security and nutritional needs of the population”, she maintained.
“Through targeted interventions like this, together with organizations that have allied interests, this initiative will create a lasting positive change for the women of Ugep, and contribute to the overall development of the community” she reminded all present.
Women empowered at the event, expressed joy and happiness and sang high praises for the initiative, believing that they have set sights on combating the effects of poverty through food sustenance at the local level.
The event which took place at the Yakurr Local Government Guest House hall, received support from the Global GreenGrant Fund.
