Ekiti Govt Trains 180 Women in Livestock Agribusiness

The Ekiti State Government has trained 180 women in livestock agribusiness under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, as part of efforts to deepen women’s participation in the livestock value chain and promote inclusive agricultural development.

The beneficiaries participated in a four-day capacity-building workshop on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) response and prevention for key stakeholders in the agribusiness sector, held in Ado-Ekiti.

Speaking at the training programe in Ado-Ekiti the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, represented by the State Project Coordinator, L-PRES, Mr. Olayinka Adedipe, said the initiative was designed to equip women with technical knowledge and entrepreneurial skills needed to scale their agribusiness enterprises. 

He added that the programme also focused on creating awareness and preventing gender-based violence within the agricultural ecosystem.

He noted that women constitute a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce, stressing the need to provide a safe, inclusive and enabling environment that allows them to contribute optimally to food security and economic growth.

Declaring the workshop open, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, commended the L-PRES Project for promoting gender inclusion through targeted empowerment programmes. 

She called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence that hinder women’s progress in business and society.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Babatope Ojo, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Omolade Adeleye, described the training as a strategic intervention to strengthen the operational capacity of women livestock farmers and agribusiness operators.

He said the initiative would enhance productivity, improve livelihoods and boost resilience across the agricultural sector.

Earlier, the National Gender Specialist of L-PRES, Barr. Fadamatu Aliyu, delivered a lecture on gender sensitivity, equal opportunity, and the need to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for women in agriculture. She urged participants to speak up against abuse and discrimination while promoting gender equality.

Some participants expressed appreciation to the state government and the L-PRES Project for the opportunity, describing the training as impactful. They pledged to apply the knowledge gained in their businesses and communities.

They also called for sustained capacity-building initiatives to further empower women and strengthen their contribution to agricultural and economic development in Ekiti State.