By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Royal Pearls Women Group, has empowered 150 indigenous women in Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State with seeds/seedlings to boost their agricultural productivity.
The event, which took place on June 7, 2024, at the Yakurr Local Government Guest House Auditorium in Ugep, aims to bolster farmers’ productivity through a cooperative farming strategy, with support from the Global GreenGrant Fund.
Seeds/seedlings distributed during the event include pumpkin, cucumber, maize, pepper, okra and egusi seeds, as well as cassava stems.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Teyojesam Eko, Executive Director of the group, stated that the initiative is designed to help women create their own wealth by focusing on planting indigenous crops well-adapted to the local climate. She added that the initiative will further address challenges faced by rural women in Ugep who engage in subsistence farming by leveraging on “KOJINNOH” – a cultural practice of cooperative farming.
Mrs. Eko said: “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 of planting more climate-resilient crops, improving agricultural practices, ensuring sustainable and efficient food production; and promoting economic empowerment among the Ugep people, and the rural women farmers in particular.”
The group’s Executive Director maintained that rural farmers in the area play a crucial role in the local economy and contribute significantly to the food security and nutritional needs of the population. She expressed delight at the turnout and overall success of the event, hoping that it would revive the “Kojinnoh” concept.
She emphasized that “through targeted interventions of this nature, and a shared interest and commitment of partner organizations, there is bound to be a lasting positive change for the women of Ugep, as well as an upward leap to the overall development of the community.”
Mr. Nelson Uket Onun, a Director with the Cross River State Ministry of Agriculture, who facilitated sessions on soil fertility, suitability and climate change, said the initiative will boost agricultural growth and improve crop yield for farmers in the area.
His words: “These seeds and cassava stems are well-adapted to our local conditions, and I have no doubt that the farmers will see significant improvements in their crop outputs, which will in turn, boost the local economy and food security of the community,” Mr. Onun stated.
Speaking also at the event, another facilitator and national award winning farmer, Mr. Koton Obeten emphasized on the need for diligence among the beneficiaries to maximize the KOJINNOH cooperative farming model and its attendant benefits to the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Joy Ofem, expressed appreciation to the group for the gesture, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on their lives and economic growth.
“We sincerely appreciate the Royal Pearls Women Group for this wonderful initiative. This gesture gives us hope and support, and with these seeds, we are confident that we can combat the effects of poverty and ensure food sustenance for our families and community,” Mrs. Ofem said.
Mrs. Ijaja Willie, another beneficiary, expressed her gratitude, highlighting the positive impact the initiative would have on their farming activities.
“This support is a blessing to us. With these seeds and seedlings, we can boost our yield and sustain our families better. It’s a step towards lifting us out of poverty and ensuring food security in our community.”
Highlights of the ceremony was the adoption of the “Kojinnoh” model by the attendees, as well as splitting of members into groups of ten to form cooperatives, for the starter phase of the project.
What Is Kojinnoh?
“Kojinnoh” is an agricultural practice where rural women farmers take turns working on each other’s farms as a form of reciprocal labor exchange. This practice is deeply rooted in many rural communities of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State. The initiative aims to mitigate the financial burden of hiring farm labor, thereby fostering economic cooperation and resilience among the women farmers.
The Group
The Royal Pearls Women Group is an association of Nigerian women whose goal is promoting the Nigerian cultural heritage and contributing to its economic and social development.
Through concerted efforts, the group and its partners aim to create sustainable agricultural practices and empower women economically.
