No fewer than 500 female farmers across three local government areas (LGAs) of Kwara have been trained by HerVest on various farming methods.
HerVest is a women-focused and inclusive fintech platform for underserved and excluded women in Africa.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-Founder HerVest, Mrs Solape Akinpelu, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin during a courtesy call on the Kwara Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa.
She had earlier updated him on the activities and challenges of the group, especially with the female farmers in the state.
Akinpelu said HerVest aimed to bridge the gender finance gap by providing the female farmers with access to credit, extension services and premium markets through a gender-focused lens.
According to her, the female farmers are trained on good agronomy practices and financial literacy, adding that 50 hectares were cultivated each in Adabata, Asa LGA, Omu-Aran in Irepodun LGA, as well Kuchitagi in Edu LGA.
She expressed her displeasure on the negative impacts of climate change, the incidents of army worm on the output of farm produce and the inability of beneficiaries to pay according to the terms of agreement.
In his remarks, Alakawa said the state government would continue to support and protect the investment of all legitimate investors.
He said this was necessary to actualise the state’s agricultural policy trust.
He implored HerVest to ensure that community dwellers were well integrated into the programme to ensure proper protection and project sustainability.
He pointed out that any programme that did not have a face for social responsibility was bound to fail.
He said the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, would ensure proper training for the female farmers.
Alakawa urged stakeholders in the agricultural value chain to work with the relevant agencies for the development of the sector in the country.
