…Targets Women & Youth For Farming Activities
By Daniel Peters
A Non Governmental Organisation, Green 
Revolution Farmers Feed the Nation Foundation, GRFFNF, has unfolded strategies to reduce hunger by creating smart farm settlements across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Amb. Jonathan David Okwudiri, Director General of the organisation, told newsmen in Abuja that the initiative is part of the efforts to address hunger and poverty in the country.
Okwudiri also disclosed that GRFFNF will be engaging one million women and youth for the farming project in collaboration with three Nigerian Banks.
He pointed out that the smart farmer settlements will act as a hub for farmers who would be trained and empowered to carryout farming activities.
He said the group has been able to secure 150,000 hectares of land for the purpose in each of the geopolitical zones.
He said: “The summary is that we are going into agriculture fully, having known what Nigerians are going through today, when it has to do with food security.
“We have acquired hectares of land, about 150,000 each in each of the political zones, and we are going into agriculture fully.
“And also we have launched an agricultural project fund, an empowerment initiative, whereby about one million women and youth in Nigeria will be empowered financially.
“The Green Go Smart Farm Settlement initiative is an innovative initiative that aims to engage women and youth in sustainable agricultural practices.
“The initiative involves the establishment of a smart farm settlement across Nigeria. Where women and youth will be trained in modern agricultural practices”
He added, “We are targeting that about one million Nigerians, women and youth, will be employed in this farm settlement as food management partners. That is our main desire.
“By engaging one million women and youth in Nigeria, engaging them automatically by giving them jobs, which they can’t get themselves. Contributing to the nation’s economic growth.”
He explained that there are lots of potentials in agricultural sector which needed to be tapped.
“Especially when it comes to achieving food security, reducing poverty, and creating job opportunities for its citizens. Because this agricultural sector, which has the potential to drive economic growth and development, is largely underdeveloped.
“However, the initiative to create a more smart farm settlement is set to change this narrative by engaging women and youth in sustainable and productive practises.
“Thereby, preventing hunger, hardship, and poverty.”
He explained that challenges like access to land and market will be addressed by the Green Go Smart Farm Settlement by providing women and youth with the training, resources, and support they need to succeed in agriculture.
He stressed that “Participants will have access to markets whereby they can sell their produce.
He said participants would also have mentors and support to ensure sustainability.”
Okwudiri therefore solicited for the support of the government at various level in ensuring the success of the project by partnering with us, providing the seedlings, fertilisers, and creating an environment for these farmers to go to the farmland and cultivate effectively.
“ The operation will equally help the government to reduce unemployment in Nigeria, because we are going to engage them in our green farm settlement,” he added.
