The topic of discussion at the event was: WOMEN BE BOLD FOR CHANGE, EDO WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE.
Below is full text of her speech:
Good afternoon to all Excellencies, my mothers and my friends, thank you for inviting me to this forum commemorating International Women’s Day 2017. I feel very fortunate to be addressing all of you.
Agriculture is not just a business, but its a sure way of creating wealth, jobs and food security for our homes and nation at large. I am proud to say that I am a practicing farmer.
Many will say I cannot do farm work, it’s too dirty, and self humiliating. I am here to encourage us to embrace farming with an entrepreneurial mindset.
I studied Computer Science at University of Benin, graduated in 2006. In 2012, I embarked into the journey of agribusiness, I cultivated vegetables on a small land behind my family house with no formal knowledge on how to go about cultivating the crop.
Five (5) years later, l have 25 hectares of vegetable farm here in Benin. Yes many will say how did she grow so fast? I will tell you; with consistency, patience, self development, Prudence, quest to succeed I found myself where I am today and am looking forward to cultivating 100hectares by 2020.
Yes I have faced several challenges, losses, breakdowns just to name a few, but I never allowed them stop me. I have never received funding from any organization, individual or family members.
Its not enough to sit at home and complain about our financial situation, complain about government, complain about our husbands incapability to provide for the home. It is sad enough to watch our daughters go into prostitution, our sons into fraudulent activities. Agriculture is one sure way to be rich in millions.
Edo State is blessed with a favorable weather condition suitable for farming, the raining season has been very consistent over the years. We have about 1,156, 916 hectares of arable land and 584,645 cultivable land for tree crops plus arable cultivation of 182hectares. We also have flood plains that are good for production of rice and other cereals that stretches to about 73,0000hectares.
Away from crops cultivation, we can also look into other areas of agriculture like animal husbandry, chemical production, feeds production, crops/animal processing, organic manure production, off takers arrangement, in fact agribusiness have a long list of value chains we can invest in.
Women should also identify their strengths and abilities, and move towards a world of empowerment. On the event of Women’s Day, let us all promise to create a better world to live in, agriculture is one sure way out of poverty; job creation and wealth creation.
Today through agriculture, I have staffs working with me at my farm. I forgot to mention, I created a farm hub for women and youths who are interested in agribusiness, a hub where I train people on how to cultivate these crops at no cost.
I must commend our Lady Mechanics, I admire her courage to venture into the mechanic profession which many women or even men will think it’s too dirty or low standard. I hope other ladies/girls will see her worthy of emulation.
As we all gathered here to celebrate this event, I want to encourage us to engage in agribusiness, I hope to see a more empowered woman in you next year as I celebrate with you next year.
I want to specially thank her Excellency, for her prowess, intelligence and willingness to empower Edo women to become better persons in the society.
A warm appreciation to the Ministry of Women Affairs for putting up this great event.
And to all mummies, who came out of their busy schedules to attend this program, I love you all.
Thanks.
Agho Blessing
