International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) funded project – HortiNigeria with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has revealed that the project has recorded 83 per cent reduction in post-harvest losses among smallholder farmers courtesy of targeted innovations in horticultural practices.
This was revealed during the Women Empowerment Showcase, Mata Adon Gona, held at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House on Thursday.
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The event, themed “Harvesting Inclusion: Empowering Women, Growing Prosperity” brought together stakeholders from federal and state governments, development partners, and farming communities to celebrate the growing role of women in Nigeria’s horticulture sector.
Delivering the keynote address, the Technical Advisor to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion who was represented by the Director sustainability and inclusion, PreCEPI, Dr Amina A Adamu highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to bridging gender gaps in agriculture through the Aso Accord and initiatives like #ShesIncluded, which aim to close the 9% gender gap in financial access.
“HortiNigeria has shown that when women are equipped with tools, training, and finance, they do not just grow crops they grow communities, incomes, and hope,” she said.
According to her, “HortiNigeria has trained 44,822 youth and 20,329 women in modern horticultural techniques, supported 898 MSMEs, mobilized €4.1 million in capital, and achieved 205% income growth among smallholder farmers. Innovations such as solar-powered cooling hubs, cold chain systems, and plastic crates have led to an 83% drop in post-harvest losses which previously was a major challenge in the vegetable value chain.
“This is not just a showcase, it’s a call to action. Let us empower women not just as farm labourers, but as leaders shaping the destiny of agriculture in Nigeria,” the Presidential Advisor declared.
Also speaking, Olubukola Funsho Sanni, Youth Agenda Specialist at IFDC, emphasized that the programme’s success lies not in numbers alone, but in the transformation of livelihoods. “These women are no longer just farmers, they are agripreneurs, mentors, and market leaders,” she said.
She noted that women farmers in Kano now produce high-grade hybrid seedlings, negotiate land access, and link directly with processors and marketers—activities that were previously out of reach.
On her part, Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alisha Lawal Saji, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development.
“This programme aligns perfectly with our vision in Kano to elevate women from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture,” she said. “We are proud of the progress made and will continue to support policies and partnerships that place women at the center of agricultural transformation.”
She added that the state is working to expand access to land, finance, and training for women farmers, especially in rural areas, in line with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s broader agenda for inclusive growth.
The showcase featured testimonials from women farmers who shared their success stories ranging from increased income and market access to mentoring other women in their communities.
Stakeholders called for stronger public-private partnerships, scaling of proven innovations, and alignment with continental initiatives such as the AfDB and World Bank’s Mission 300 to ensure Nigeria leads in driving food, energy, and financial security across Africa.
