At the heart of Gwagwalada, Abuja, the FSSS Farmers’ Hub is a vital resource for smallholder farmers, particularly women, looking to improve their agricultural output. However, the hub has long struggled with access to water, a crucial element for raising seedlings and sustaining farming activities, especially during the dry season. Thanks to a recent intervention by the Foundation, a new borehole has been installed, transforming the hub’s capacity to grow seedlings and support the surrounding communities of Ibua, Rafin Zurfi, Dupa and Wuna.
According to Gladys Etema Igomu, the Farmers’ Hub Manager, the borehole has significantly improved operations. “We produce more seedlings now, and then we are able to grow vegetables and other food outside,” she explained.
“This is the heart of the dry season, but we are still able to grow food [crops].”
The availability of water has not only ensured year-round farming but has also benefited local farmers and households who rely on the hub for seedlings and fresh produce.
The borehole installation aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to empowering women in agriculture. As one of the 15 female hub managers across Nigeria, Gladys has faced several challenges in leadership, particularly as a woman in a management position. However, with support from the Foundation, and through her resilience and clear work structures, she has fostered a productive and inclusive work environment at the hub.
Beyond improving agricultural productivity, the Foundation’s support of the hub contributes to economic empowerment for women. With access to water to produce seedlings, more women who rely on the hub for their seedlings can now engage in backyard farming, ensuring food security for their families.
As Gladys Etema Igomu noted, “The borehole has helped the villagers around who come to buy seedlings to also do their backyard farming.”
This intervention is a testament to our dedication to sustainable agricultural practices and women’s empowerment — an achievement worth celebrating, especially as the world marks International Women’s Day.
“This has been a life-changing experience,” Gladys shared. “I sincerely thank the Foundation for their constant support.” Through initiatives like these, we continue to pave the way for a more food-secure and equitable future for women in agriculture.
