As collaboration to train young Nigerian women in Agriculture has taken solid shape between the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), the Read and Earn Federation for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO REF) and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), the Executive Director of the IAR&T, Prof. Veronica Obatolu, has assured readiness of the institute on the partnership.

“The institute is willing to partner with POWA and UNESCO Ref towards development of youths and women in agriculture along different agricultural value chains,” she said.

Prof. Obatolu made this known on Wednesday at the historic one-day working visit of the delegates of POWA and UNESCO Ref to the institute.

In her welcome address, the Director who welcomed the dignitaries to the institute recalled that the institute participated in the joint-press briefing and signing of the mission action plan with the theme “Enhancing National Security through Women in Agriculture” together with POWA and UNESCO Ref in Abuja on 26th of July 2023.

According to her, the working visit of the collaborating partners was a follow-up to ascertain their readiness in building capacity of young women in agriculture.

While expressing her profound appreciation to the partners for finding the institute worthy of collaboration in achieving the objectives of the project, she noted looking “forward to successful collaboration in enhancing natural security by promoting agricultural enterprise among women with focus on police officers’ wives.”

Providing a brief history of institute, Obatolu prided the provision of practical training, and contributions of the institute to the Federal Government agenda on food security through their research mandate

Expressing the significant role women play in feeding their families and fueling the economy, the Director stated that, “their role in the agricultural value chain transcends manual labour that it is dynamic and encompasses a range of skills and responsibilities.”

“This is transformational through processing, marketing, entrepreneurship and social inclusion, leadership and policy advocate that are crucial for not only food security and community development but towards national security and economic sustainability,” she said.

She further expressed her profound gratitude for the choice of the institute as a partner, assuring their willingness to collaborate on the development of youths and women in agriculture along different value chains.

The Professor of Human Nutrition and alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria also highlighted the institute has developed technologies through her research findings, extensively deployed for youths and women through capacity development.

Led by the National President and wife of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, delegates from POWA included wives of Assistant Inspectors General of Police of Zone 12 and 17; POWA Chairpersons from Lagos, Oyo, and Osun States. Also, part of the delegation was the UNESCO REF President Project Director of Young Women in Agriculture, Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu; and representatives of One Million YWA Champions.