The Nigerian Women for Agricultural Progressive and Development Initiative (NWAPDI) says it is helping women farmers and young people in farming in Nigeria.
Omolara Svensson, the National Coordinator of NWAPDI, said this during the launch of their new Sovereign Agrotrade System (SAS) and a summit on Thursday in Abuja.
The SAS is a new system, both online and physical, that helps Nigerian farmers, especially women and youth, sell their products directly to buyers in Nigeria and other countries.
The theme of the summit was “Building Wealth from the Soil-Digitally and Inclusively.”Svensson explained that the SAS includes four main parts: AgriXchange Marketplace, NWAPDI Grow, AgriCert, and FarmAssure.
She said that through AgriXchange Marketplace, NWAPDI members can connect directly with buyers, sellers of farming supplies, and service providers, no matter where they are.She said, “Their products will be seen, valued, and bought all over Nigeria and beyond.”
With NWAPDI Grow, farmers can safely save money, get paid directly, and borrow small loans to help grow their farms into businesses.
She added, “Farmers won’t have to wait in long lines at the bank or wait for help that never comes.”
Svensson said AgriCert will give each harvest a quality stamp that shows it is trusted and can be tracked. This will help farmers sell at better prices and get paid fairly and quickly.
She also said FarmAssure helps members plan and manage their farms like real businesses. It keeps digital records that attract investors, get insurance, and help farmers make smart choices.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, said the SAS fits well with President Bola Tinubu’s vision called the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
Abdullahi explained that the RHA focuses on farming, new technology, inclusion, and helping people in local communities as a way to improve Nigeria’s economy.
The minister spoke through his Special Adviser on Strategy, Mr. Mohammed Jobdi.
He said the NWAPDI’s digital system will change farming from just surviving to becoming an important business.
He told the farmers, especially the women and young people, “This is your time. This is your chance. You are no longer left behind. You are now important in the new Nigeria.”
He said the farmer will become a respected business owner, the youth will become digital farm entrepreneurs, and women will become investors in their community’s food system.
Before this, Mr. Dion Croom, President of Norcom, LLC, and Lead Consortium Partner, said the AgroTrade System was made to help women and youth in farming.
Croom said the system also wants to improve food security and encourage farming that is good for the environment.He said, “The AgroTrade System connects farmers in rural areas with buyers in other countries.”
