In a bold step towards building climate-resilient communities and empowering women in agriculture, the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE) held a town hall meeting on July 7, 2025, in Kaduna State. The event spotlighted regenerative agriculture as a vital tool for sustainable food production, bringing together women farmers, community leaders, and environmental advocates for a robust exchange of ideas and solutions.
Cultivating Change from the Ground Up
This town hall meeting was more than a gathering — it was a call to action. WISE’s vision to strengthen local food systems and support women-led farming communities took center stage, with discussions focused on:
- The local impacts of climate change
- Sustainable farming practices
- Pathways to adaptation and mitigation
- Building strategic partnerships for long-term resilience
In her powerful keynote address, Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, Executive Director of WISE, underscored the urgency of climate change and its growing effects on agriculture. She passionately advocated for a transition to renewable energy, emphasizing clean energy solutions such as Save80 clean cookstoves and briquette production through waste recycling — all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our environment.
Women Farmers Speak Up
The session was a lively, interactive dialogue where women farmers shared their on-the-ground experiences. Key concerns raised included:
✅️ Limited access to funding and farm machinery
✅️ Labour shortages during critical farming seasons
✅️ Drought and irregular rainfall, especially affecting soybean crops and forcing repeated replanting
In a dedicated Q&A session, women were invited to express the specific challenges they encounter in implementing sustainable farming practices. Several women raised critical questions such as:
- “How do we test our soil to know what nutrients it needs?”
- “Where can we access subsidised organic fertilizers that won’t harm the environment?”
- “Can we get training on composting and making our own bio-fertilizers?”
- “Is there a way to form cooperatives to buy tools and fertilizers in bulk?”
These heartfelt questions reflected the strong desire of women farmers not just to survive, but to thrive — and to do so sustainably. WISE facilitators responded with practical advice and committed to exploring partnerships that can address these pressing needs.
Yet, amidst the challenges, there was hope. Many women expressed appreciation for the improved security situation in the region, which has allowed them to return to their farms with greater confidence and determination.
A Global Voice of Inspiration
One of the day’s highlights was a stirring address by Miss Stella Paul, an internationally acclaimed journalist and speaker from India. With heartfelt stories and personal reflections, she honored the dignity of motherhood, applauded the strength of Nigerian women farmers, and reminded them that their background does not define their future. Her message was a powerful reinforcement of the global sisterhood and solidarity in the fight for climate and gender justice.
Action, Empowerment, and Celebration
Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment, WISE offered Save80 Clean Cookstoves to participants at subsidised rates through a flexible payment plan, making sustainable energy more accessible to farming families.
The event concluded with songs of thanksgiving and joy, as women and their leaders celebrated the knowledge shared, the connections formed, and the strength of their shared mission.
🌱 At WISE, we believe empowered women build sustainable communities. This town hall is one more step toward cultivating a greener, fairer, and more resilient future — starting from the soil beneath our feet.
#WISEWomen #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #OrganicLife #WomenEmpowerment #EcoWarriors #CommunityImpact #EnvironmentalSustainability
Leave a Reply