Women-led farming clusters under the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) have begun harvesting vegetables, while clusters of persons with disabilities (PWDs) are preparing for wheat harvesting in Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State as a result of a shift in platting seasons, providing ample opportunity for irrigation farming facilities and trainings by WOFAN to its farmers.
This initiative is part of WOFAN – ICON2 project initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation initiatives partnership with WOFAN
This innovative two-system irrigation program, which has provided employment opportunities for over 1,800 young men and women across Kano and Jigawa states was backed up with a series of capacity-building trainings on irrigation farming and distribution of over 24 solar-powered water pumps and 48 solar spraying equipment to 60 groups of PWDs and youths to ensure smooth operations backed up with practicable irrigation farming in line with adjusting to climatic changes and mitigating natural disasters such as floods and drought.
SolaceBase reports that this initiative will result in 3–4 harvests per year, directly benefiting farmers by increasing income, improving family nutrition, promoting partnership among the male and female genders as well as providing inclusivity for gender and people with disability thereby, creating dignified agribusiness-led job opportunities.
Additionally, it will help bridge gaps in agricultural value chains, promote diversity and inclusivity, and boost food security amidst climate change challenges.
Speaking at the grand harvesting ceremony on Thursday in Kano, WOFAN-ICON2 Country Director, Dr. Salamatu Garba, highlighted the initiative’s impact in ensuring year-round farming and creating sustainable livelihoods for rural farmers.
She noted that most farmers in the region are subsistence farmers who struggle to feed their families beyond two to three months after the rainy season harvest. This economic hardship often forces them to migrate to urban areas for menial jobs, leading to increased crime, family instability, and other social challenges.
Dr Garba, represented by WOFAN’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Sadik Hassan, emphasized the importance of boosting farmers’ financial resilience.
“WOFAN’s initiative has empowered farmers to cultivate an additional three crop cycles between two rainy seasons through irrigation farming. This does not only increase household income but also creates dignified job opportunities, strengthens family bonds, and ensures women and persons with disabilities are actively involved in sustainable farming,” she explained.
This aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Strategy, which aims to create 30 million dignified jobs in Africa, including 10 million in Nigeria, with a focus on farmers—particularly young women, persons with disabilities, and small-scale female youth entrepreneurs aged 18–35.
“As part of this initiative, 300 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Kano, organized into two clusters, are set to harvest their five-hectare wheat farm under the WOFAN-ICON 2 Project in partnership with Mastercard foundations’ supported ‘We Can Work’ program.
These farmers are expected to yield up to two tons per hectare, equivalent to 40 bags,” Hassan stated. He added that WOFAN’s support has enabled them to engage in profitable farming, ensuring that no group is left behind in agricultural development.
During the event, WOFAN officials inspected several farms, including those cultivating tomatoes, onions, and wheat. Hassan explained that women-led cooperative groups in Garun Malam have been actively engaged in farming activities all year round, harvesting their produce three to four times annually.
Instead of waiting for the dry season, these farmers utilize the transition period between rainy seasons to cultivate vegetables such as tomatoes and onions.
The initiative also provides employment for farm labourers, mostly women, who earn between ₦4,000 and ₦5,000 daily from harvesting activities.
Solace Base