By Dada Ahmed, Lokoja.
The Women in Agriculture Cooperative Federation (WIACF) Limited has announced a strategic partnership with the Mechanized Agricultural Investment Services (MAIS), an international organization, to transform agricultural practices in Kogi State and improve the state’s economy.
Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Audu, National President of WIACF, disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja during a high-level meeting with the Federation’s management and leadership team.
As part of the collaboration, Dr. Audu revealed that she and some members of the Federation would attend the launch of a $5 billion agricultural investment fund by MAIS management in Abuja on July 19, 2025. The fund aims to inject capital into agricultural ventures across Nigeria.
According to her, 20,000 farmers in Kogi are expected to benefit from the initiative through access to credit cards and production loans, which will support food production, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and promote self-reliance.
“All WIACF members have been registered to benefit from MAIS’s programme, designed to educate farmers, provide access to loans to support agricultural productivity for economic growth,” Dr. Audu stated.
She also revealed that Omobile World has developed a Software called SABIHUB to aid educational sector, in order for our children to measure up to international standard as in digital education.
This is to enhance the performance of children in primary and secondary schools including Farmers’ children.
She added that WIACF is recruiting Merchants and Agents across the State to service the beneficiaries of MAISTRADE MPCS Credit Cards, to further boost productivity and coordination in the agricultural value chain.
Also WIACF is recruiting Merchants and Agents across the State to service the beneficiaries of MAISTRADE MPCS Credit Cards, to further boost productivity and coordination in the agricultural value chain.
She also revealed that MIST would soon unveil “O Mobile”, a digital tool developed to enhance the education of farmers’ children in primary and secondary schools. In addition, the device will improve communication between agricultural merchants, agents, and farmers—further boosting productivity and coordination across the agricultural value chain.
Dr. Audu urged members to actively engage with WIACF’s initiatives to maximize the opportunities provided by the partnership and contribute meaningfully to the Federation’s growth.
She noted that through the name of the organization might tilted towards seeing it as purely a woman affair, it is meant for women,men and youth to galvanize efforts and resources to boost food production and engage in economic activities for self reliance.
In his contribution, a member of the Federation, Mr. Damisa Suleiman, encouraged fellow members to focus on what they could contribute to the Federation, rather than solely on personal gains.
Key highlight of the meeting include the appointment of Aliyu Yussuff as kogi state coordinator of MAIS,formation of two key committees
Dr.Audu said that Yussuff was appointed to coordinate such a sensitive assignment because of his invaluable contribution to the growth of WAICF.
The meeting being also featured the setting up of two committees:MAIS Credit Cards and Production as well as O Mobile and showcased products, including Beneised bread ,herbal tea and others produced by one of the WIACF entrepreneurs.
