In a move to bolster youth empowerment and enhance food security, the Edo State Government has launched the “Plant, Nurture, Eat—Edo Girls’ Farm Project” on Saturday.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Ms. Sally Suleiman, was unveiled as a key component of the state’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebrations.
The project is designed to provide young girls with practical agricultural skills, offering hands-on farming experience while fostering essential life skills such as patience, responsibility, and self-sufficiency.
“It also supports sustainable agriculture and food security in line with the state’s broader economic development goals,” explained Ms. Suleiman during the launch.
She emphasized the project’s potential to address gender disparities within the agricultural sector and empower young women with valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
“Agriculture is a powerful tool for economic transformation, and by engaging young girls early, we are equipping them with the skills they need to be self-reliant, contribute to food security, and take leadership roles in agriculture,” Suleiman stated.
The “Plant, Nurture, Eat” initiative is strategically aligned with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Nutrition, and Education), which recognizes agriculture as a central pillar for driving economic growth within the state.
Furthermore, the program directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Gender Equality (SDG 5), underscoring the state’s commitment to global development objectives.
Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural practices while prioritizing gender inclusion in economic development.
“This initiative is a step toward empowering the next generation of female leaders in agriculture, ensuring that young girls in Edo are not left behind in our pursuit of food security and economic sustainability,” the governor said.
With a strong emphasis on practical training and mentorship opportunities, the “Plant, Nurture, Eat” project aims to inspire young women to pursue careers within agriculture and agribusiness.
Ms. Suleiman concluded, “The Edo State government believes that by investing in the agricultural skills of young girls today, it is laying a strong foundation for a more food-secure and economically empowered future.”
The initiative represents a significant investment in the future of Edo State, promising to cultivate a new generation of female agricultural leaders and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous economy.
