Binaba Women celebrate day with a show of skills

Women in Binaba in the Bawku West District on Thursday displayed their farming and food processing skills at an exhibition at Binaba to mark the International Women’s Day.

The ‘Women out Grower Group’ and Nucleus Farmers of Binaba, in conjunction with the Women in Agricultural Development(WIAD) of Ministry of Agriculture were supported by the Agricultural Development Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) Project II to carry out activities of the day.

The women shared experiences in farming and displayed their talents through quiz competition on farming and the uses and application of farm inputs.

They also mounted an exhibition of local dishes prepared from maize and soya beans.

The event was celebrated on the theme; “Women: making it happen in agriculture”, with funds from USAID, in partnership with MTN to appreciate the contributory roles women played in the agricultural value chain and communities.

Miss Ayisha Mikey, Gender Advisor, ADVANCE Project II, reiterated that women were critical agents of change in society and deserved sustainable opportunities and involvement to achieve food security in rural populations.

Miss Mikey who outlined interventions of ADVANCE in the value chain of rice, maize, and soya beans said the gender inclusive strategy of her outfit aimed at contributing to economic security and to integrate women into the value chains to promote sustainable house hold nutrition.

She said constraints faced by women hindered their contribution towards improving their own lives and that of their families.

Whilst appreciating men Nucleus Farmers (NFs) for their support to women in the Region in improving farming, the gender advisor called on stakeholders such as input dealers and financial service providers to continue providing needed support to women since they were more trustworthy and credible business people.

She added that despite associated risks, women were willing to try out new technologies and invest in them.

She indicated that ADVANCE supported over 9,000 small holder farmers in three districts in East Mamprusi, Mamprugu and Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo, providing beneficiaries platforms to learn and build their capacity.

Naaba Moses Abaare Appia, the Binaba chief and a Nucleus Farmer thanked ADVANCE for the role it played to support women and advised the beneficiaries of the project to work hard. The chief who supported over 700 men and women farmers with farming inputs said the community would soon access a warehousing facility put up through his initiative and supported by farmer groups to address post-harvest challenges.

Among other women farmers who shared their experiences and fame in farming were 2003 best farmer Hajia Teni Tia and Madam Janet Ali.

Madam Janet Ali advised women to work hard and not to shy away from farming and urged communities especially land owners to provide women fertile lands to undertake farming activities. Participating women who performed well in the quiz were given prizes ranging from seeds, spraying equipment, soap and T shirts among others.