The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, has distributed cucumber seedlings to its members as part of efforts to promote backyard farming, improve household nutrition and encourage food self-sufficiency.
Speaking during the distribution on Monday, the Chairperson of the association, Mrs Rashida Yusuf, said 40 members benefited from the initiative.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise marked the second phase of NAWOJ’s Backyard and Sack Farming Empowerment Programme, designed to encourage members to engage in small-scale agriculture.
“This is the second phase of this programme. We intend to encourage vegetable farming in our households through backyard gardening.
“The initiative is designed to engage our members in farming activities, boost food production at the household level and encourage healthy living,” Yusuf said.
She urged members to take advantage of the rainy season to establish home gardens and cultivate vegetables for their families.
Yusuf recalled that during the association’s earlier backyard and sack farming training, participants were encouraged not only to practise home gardening but also to use their platforms as journalists to promote its benefits to the public.
“As members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, we have a responsibility to practise what we advocate and educate the public on the importance of home gardening, especially among women.
“We expect members to apply the knowledge gained and also encourage others to embrace backyard farming as a means of improving nutrition and household food security,” she added.
The NAWOJ chairperson expressed confidence that the initiative would deepen members’ interest in agriculture while improving family welfare through greater access to fresh, nutritious vegetables.
Source:NAN
