The Family Life and Community Health Society (FLACHS), through the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) NGO Support Initiative, has trained women farmers in Rafin-Kwara community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on essential financial management skills.
The training, titled “Basic Money Skills and Sustainable Farming,” aims to strengthen sustainable agricultural practices and improve the economic resilience of subsistence women farmers in the area.
Mrs. Ene Ochegbudu, Project Director for FLACHS under the NGO Support Initiative, explained that the exercise builds on earlier capacity-building programmes conducted in Lokotiye community, where farmers were trained on climate-smart agriculture, agroecology, and pest and disease control.
She noted that the financial literacy segment of the training is designed to complement farmers’ agricultural knowledge by equipping them with practical money management strategies to boost productivity and secure their livelihoods.
According to Ochegbudu, participants were taught how to plan financially before, during, and after each farming season. She emphasized that proper financial planning is a vital first step in farming, as money plays a critical role in meeting farmers’ basic, social, and security needs.
“When farmers plan their finances effectively, their households become stronger,” she said. Ochegbudu also observed that many farmers face difficulties sustaining their farming operations after harvest due to inadequate financial planning.
She advised participants to set aside seeds, funds for inputs, and essential tools at the end of every farming season to cushion challenges in the next cycle. “Plan, save gradually, spend wisely, borrow with caution, and collaborate through cooperatives or groups for greater financial strength,” she urged.
The director encouraged women to cut back on unnecessary spending on social events and prioritize investments in self-sustaining ventures that offer meaningful returns.
In his remarks, Mr. Joe Dikko, Deputy Director at the Department of Agriculture in Karu LGA, commended FLACHS and dRPC for their efforts in equipping women with both agricultural and financial knowledge. He highlighted the pivotal role of women farmers, who contribute over 70 percent of the state’s food supply but often receive limited support.
“With rising inflation and cultural barriers, women farmers need financial skills more than ever,” Dikko said. “When you empower a woman, you empower the family and the nation. This training will help them make informed financial decisions, save effectively, and reinvest wisely in their farms.”
Ms. Mercy Nnaji, representing dRPC, praised the farmers for their contributions to national food security. She assured that the organization would continue to support women farmers to build sustainable incomes and livelihoods.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Christy Ishiaku expressed gratitude to the organisers for their continued support. She recalled that the earlier provision of improved cowpea seedlings had eased their financial burden, and the new financial training has further strengthened their capacity to plan for future farming seasons.
“Before now, I used to sell all my proceeds and spend the money without thinking about the next season. With this training, I’ve learned to save for the future,” Ishiaku said.
Also, community leader Wazili Auta appreciated dRPC for the intervention, noting that it would significantly boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security in the area.
Representing the community head of Rafin-Kwara, Mr. Ali Isah, his son Husaini Isah urged the organization to sustain the programme. He emphasized that most women in the community rely on farming as their main source of livelihood and welcomed the initiative as a timely support for rural farmers.