Khadijah Aliyu
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) launched a community intervention in Dumaji Garun Malam Local Government Area, Kano, in commemoration of World Food Day and International Rural Women’s Day.
This initiative was made possible through their collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation under the Icon 2 project. 
Speaking at the occasion, the executive director WOFAN Hajiya Dr. Salamatu Garba explained that, Dumaji community is unique as it started with ” a group of women who were farm labourers earning N120 per week after working tirelessly on people’s farms.
She stressed that, WOFAN mobilized, trained , linked them with extension workers and advocated for farm land from the traditional leaders where one hecter was given to them.
“The women cultivated about 40 bags from the one hecter out of the profit they sourced for another farm which was leased out to them, at the end of the day these women became independent”
Hajiya Salamatu pointed out that a women center equipped with modern rice and maize processing machines, a solar powered multipurpose dryer to reduce post harvest losses and increase income was provided under the icon 2 project.
The executive director explained that, a solar powered marketing hub for PWDs equipped with 124 phone charging and phone repair gadgets was set up in Dumaji community.
“The solar powered center with charging points will serve the community and provide dignified job for PWDs”
Hajiya Salamatu highlighted that, PWDs that have transformed into extension workers and peer leaders received customized electric motorcycles to assist their movements from one place to another.
“WOFAN Donated 4 electric motor cycles to outstanding PWDs who have scaled up and transformed into peer leaders and extension workers to aid their mobility”
“At WOFAN we believe in the dignity of human beings if you support PWDs no matter how small it builds their confidence and brings out their best potentials”
She noted that, the program will take place across ten states in the federation from 12th to 16th October 2024.
“Other Interventions commissioned in Dumaji community includes solar powered borehole to serve Dumaji community, school, and mosque”
“WOFAN Launched 24 units of tricycle loaders to support agro produce labourers and transform their businesses from farm labourers to managers of agro- logistic systems.
The district head of Garun Malam Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin Fulanin Ja’idinawa, represented by the ward head of Yadakwari Alhaji Dan’iya Ibrahim, commended WOFAN for the intervention and reiterated the traditional institute’s commitment to providing all the necessary support to achieve the desired objectives.
Some of the visually impaired beneficiaries, Barrister Aminu A. Kura, Abdulmutallif Iliyasu, and Bashir Idris Abubakar Kura, urged PWDs to desist from begging urged them to strive for self-reliance.
The event organized by WOFAN in collaboration with the master card foundation under the icon 2 project featured an exhibition of household items and farm products made by PWDs and women.
