Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on the government and development partners to adopt more inclusive agricultural strategies that empower women with disabilities, particularly in Moringa-based farming and value addition.
The call came during the official launch of the Empowering Women in Moringa Production and Processing (EWoMoPP) project, held at Destination Hotel, Bauchi. The project targets Dass and Bauchi Local Government Areas and is being implemented by the Youth Adolescent Health Initiative and Counselling (YAHIC).
During the launch, participants underscored the multiple barriers confronting women with disabilities—ranging from poor access to land, credit, agricultural inputs, and market information, to deeper societal issues such as cultural stigma and lack of disability-friendly training methods.
One of the speakers, Hajiya Amina Ahmed, emphasized the urgent need to develop inclusive training approaches—such as sign language interpretation and braille materials—alongside mentorship networks and supportive business models. She also stressed the importance of sensitization campaigns to tackle persistent stigma and promote policies that guarantee equal participation in agricultural activities.
YAHIC’s Executive Director, Ms. Eswayi Polycarp, explained that the EWoMoPP project seeks to economically empower rural women while promoting climate-smart agriculture. According to her, the project will run from July 2025 to June 2026, directly benefiting 90 women—15 of whom are women with disabilities—and indirectly reaching an estimated 450 community members.
Highlighting the choice of Moringa, Polycarp noted its rich nutritional value, low water requirement, and strong commercial potential. She added that the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 5 (Gender Equality).
Mr. Tameshiya Titus, YAHIC Programme Officer, shared key components of the initiative, including hands-on training in Moringa farming and processing, the provision of solar-powered greenhouses, the establishment of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), market linkage support, and gender-based violence awareness campaigns.
The project is slated to kick off full implementation in September 2025, offering new hope for sustainable livelihoods and inclusion for rural women in Bauchi.
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