The Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has organized a one-day training for female journalists on backyard gardening.
The training, held at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi, aimed to improve household nutrition, enhance food security, and support livelihoods.
The initiative was organized in collaboration with the Rural Urban Women Green Initiative (RUGWI), a non-governmental organization promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Speaking at the event, NAWOJ Chairperson, Rasheeda Yusuf, said the training was designed to equip women journalists with practical skills in modern gardening techniques to enable them to grow vegetables at home.
“Apart from being media professionals, they are mothers and wives who prepare meals for their families. Having a backyard garden makes it easier to access fresh vegetables, especially after long working hours,” she said.
Yusuf revealed that seedlings and starter packs would be distributed to 40 NAWOJ members who participated in the training, and she commended RUGWI for its support.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of RUGWI, Professor Khadija Bello, explained that the organization was founded by lecturers at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. She noted that the goal is to create awareness and implement practical agricultural solutions for both small-scale and commercial farmers.
She emphasized that backyard gardening is cost-effective and easy to manage, especially with the adoption of sack farming techniques that require minimal space.
Prof. Bello encouraged women to take advantage of this innovation to grow vegetables around their homes.
The training also featured a practical session on soil quality and mixture, focusing on essential components for effective home gardening.
By Lizzy Carr
