ZLGA Waterways Limited, in partnership with the Rural Women Energy Security Initiative, is set to train about two million rural women across Nigeria in eco-friendly agricultural practices.
The initiative, known as the Climate-Smart Agronomy Programme, is designed to empower women at the grassroots through climate-resilient farming, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable income generation.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Programme Coordinator, Dr Abiola Bashorun, more than two million women from rural communities have already registered for the training.
Bashorun explained that both organisations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja to formalise their collaboration, noting that the training supports Nigeria’s climate action goals. She said the programme would help women gain access to clean and sustainable energy sources, especially for cooking, lighting, and other income-generating ventures.
“The Climate Smart Agronomy Programme is expected to bring several key benefits which include women empowerment – training and equipping rural women with modern, climate-smart farming and clean energy tools,” the statement read.
“It improves food security, it will provide higher crop yields, reduced losses, and better nutrition through sustainable farming practices. On climate resilience, this training would bring about drought-resistant crops, efficient water use, and soil conservation to withstand climate change.”
Bashorun added that the project would create new income streams, jobs, and better market access for women while promoting renewable energy technologies such as solar irrigation, biogas, and clean cookstoves.
“I encourage all women, regardless of age or social status, to join this program — it offers an opportunity to become key contributors to environmental sustainability while also advancing their businesses.
“We must act now to protect the earth from total collapse and create a better, more sustainable world for ourselves and future generations,” she said.
The initiative comes as the Federal Government intensifies its climate-smart agriculture and agrifood investment plans aimed at boosting food production in a low-carbon, resilient manner.