The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has empowered 311 people under the Women and youth in Agriculture Support Programme aimed at promoting self-reliance and economic independence across the state.
Speaking during the flagging off the grand empowerment in Gusau, the state capital, Hajiya Huriyya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing a new generation of farmers, entrepreneurs, and youth equipped to transform the agricultural sector.
She revealed that out of the 311 beneficiaries, 201 are women while 110 are young men, all of whom will receive full empowerment support under the initiative.
“Each beneficiary will receive a start-up capital of ₦50,000, a tailored starter pack based on their selected farming area, and access to modern agricultural tools including rice mills, power tillers, sprayers, dill mills, wheelbarrows, water pumps, and more,” she stated.
She described the initiative as a seed of prosperity, “We are planting seeds of prosperity that will blossom in every household, every school, and every corner of Zamfara State.
She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her vision and motherly love that gave birth to the programme.
“We also thank the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for their steadfast support. Our appreciation goes to the Zamfara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and the Universal Basic Education Board. Your collaboration made this achievement possible,” she added.
The First Lady urged beneficiaries from across the 14 local government areas to utilize the agricultural inputs and funds judiciously and refrain from selling them to ensure the initiative’s full impact is realized.
“My people, the future is green. Let us embrace this path of growth, self-reliance, and sustainability. Let us water the seeds planted today so they may grow into a harvest of blessings for generations to come.”
Hajiya Huriyya noted that the empowerment is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a transformative programme introduced by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“This noble initiative has lit a torch of empowerment that will continue to shine across our homes, schools, and communities,” she said.
She highlighted that, over the past few days, women and youth had undergone extensive training in modern sack farming, fish farming, goat farming, poultry farming, described skills as key to economic independence and food security.
She also announced the conclusion of the “Every Home a Garden” programme, where 25 outstanding women received ₦200,000 each along with gardening tools. In addition, 35 passionate women have been selected to serve as community champions of the initiative, helping to foster food production and sustainability.
In a bid to involve young people, Hajiya Huriyya said 160 students from eight schools across the state have been inaugurated into the RHI Young Farmers Club.
“Each school will now have its own farm site, supported with solar-powered boreholes, gardening tools, and start-up funds for maintenance and expansion,” she said, noting that these students represent the future of agriculture in Zamfara State.
