The Founder of Umera Farms, Olamide Alao-Akala, has called on the government to create policies that will make the agricultural sector more appealing to women and youths.
She said this recently during the 2024 annual cashew conference organized by the Africa Cashew Alliance (ACA), held in the Republic of Benin, Cotonou.
The Africa Cashew Alliance conference is a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies to enhance the cashew value chain across the continent, with a focus on boosting participation from underrepresented groups such as women and youths.
Speaking on the topic, “Women and Youth Inclusivity in the Cashew Value Chain,” Alao-Akala emphasized the need for policies that would educate and encourage women and youths to explore opportunities in agriculture.
She advocated for supportive measures including, incentive-based programs, national crop pricing to combat unfair competition, and subsidies during periods of surplus, to create a conducive environment for these groups to thrive.
The session which was sponsored by Gizmove, highlighted the critical role of policy support in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
“Youths need to understand that they have the potential to generate profits and contribute significantly to nation-building by joining the agricultural sector”.
She further highlighted that increasing the participation of women and youths in agribusiness requires certain training and education to demystify the sector and showcase its profitability.
The UMèRA Farms CEO also underscored the importance of collaboration in facilitating access to funding for farmers, particularly through business organizations and cooperative societies.
“We must change the narrative and help women and youths realize the value they can add to themselves and the nation by engaging in agriculture.
“More needs to be done in education, mentorship, and collaboration within the cashew sector.”
As part of her commitment to promoting inclusivity in agriculture, Alao-Akala shared details about her organisation, UMèRA Farms’ initiative, the Nutty Park Cashew Plantation.
She said “This program offers farmers the opportunity to own land for cashew farming while receiving training on planting and nurturing cashew trees.
“At Nutty Park, we empower farmers by providing them with land ownership and the necessary knowledge to succeed in cashew cultivation,” she concluded.
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