The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) has emphasised the need to equip young women with the skills necessary to develop agricultural solutions through technology.

Themed “Renewable Energy Integration into Agritech Design for Climate-Smart Solutions,” the training workshop brought together over 50 young women from across the country to build their technical and entrepreneurial capacities.

The programme focused on integrating renewable energy solutions into agricultural technologies to promote sustainability, productivity, and gender-inclusive innovation.

In a speech read on behalf of Prof. Fatima Denton, Director of UNU-INRA, she underscored the growing challenges climate change poses to agriculture and the need for urgent action.

“Across Africa, women are the backbone of agricultural production. Women constitute nearly 50% of the agricultural labour force and are central to rural economies. Yet, their access to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial opportunities remains limited,” she noted.

Professor Denton charged the participants with a clear message, “You are the future designers of green, climate-smart agricultural solutions that harness renewable energy to serve both people and planet.”

The three-day training workshop, held from July 28 to July 30, 2025, aimed to enhance practical skills in clean energy-powered agritech technologies and promote gender-inclusive innovation in technical design and engineering.

It also sought to support the development of viable, energy-efficient agribusiness models through mentorship and networking.

SSD/MA