Here’s what you’ll learn:
- WIMA’s ambitious goal to reach 1 million women farmers by 2030
- The four strategic pillars driving WIMA’s mission
- How WIMA is using solar-powered hubs to serve rural communities
- The call for increased support from government and financial institutions
WIMA’s Bold Vision for Nigerian Agriculture
The Women in Mechanised Agriculture (WIMA) has launched an ambitious plan to provide mechanization services to one million women farmers across Nigeria by 2030. This initiative aims to overhaul food systems, boost household incomes, enhance climate resilience, and improve national productivity through inclusive access to agricultural technologies.
Aisha Yakubu Bako, the President of WIMA, announced at the official launch in Abuja: “Our plan is to build a future where no woman is too rural, too poor, or too marginalized to access technology, finance, and opportunity.”
The Genesis of WIMA: From Humble Beginnings to National Impact
Starting in 2019 with just six women, WIMA was born from a desire to provide targeted mechanization services to women at the grassroots level. These women saw a gap and decided to fill it, focusing on those often overlooked by traditional agricultural support systems.
WIMA’s Four Pillars of Empowerment
WIMA operates on four strategic pillars:
- Capacity Building: Equipping women with the skills to operate and maintain agricultural machinery.
- Access to Mechanization Services and Assets: Providing the tools and equipment needed for efficient farming.
- Policy and Advocacy: Working to create policies that support women in agriculture.
- Market Linkages: Connecting women farmers to markets to sell their produce.
Through partnerships with initiatives like TrackTrack, WIMA provides mobile-based learning platforms and mechanization toolkits. They’re teaching women how to handle everything from tractors to harvesters.
Solar-Powered Hubs: Bringing Innovation to Rural Areas
With support from partners like PropCom Plus, WIMA has established 12 solar-powered mechanization service hubs across Nigeria. These hubs provide essential services to women in hard-to-reach areas, utilizing renewable-energy-powered equipment such as threshers and water pumps. This approach not only supports agriculture but also promotes sustainable energy use.
Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide
WIMA is also facilitating market linkages, enabling urban women to invest in mechanization tools and partner with rural service providers through a cost-sharing model. This innovative approach helps bridge the gap between urban investment and rural needs, fostering collaboration and mutual benefit.
A Call for Support: Empowering Women, Transforming Nations
Bako emphasized the need for increased support from government, financial institutions, and donor agencies. “When women rise, food systems rise. When women mechanize, productivity scales. And when women are involved in decision-making, nations prosper,” she stated.
The Challenges Faced by Women Farmers
Dr. Aisha Umar, Chairperson of WIMA’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the increasing marginalization of women farmers in accessing mechanization services. Many women still rely on outdated tools like hoes and cutlasses due to a lack of access to modern equipment.
WIMA’s Collaborative Approach
WIMA aims to collaborate with donor agencies, the private sector, government, and commercial banks to provide mechanization support to women in agriculture. By working together, they hope to overcome the barriers that have long hindered women’s progress in the agricultural sector.
Technology and Welfare: The Future of Farming
Dr. Umar revealed that WIMA plans to deploy technology to enhance women’s agricultural output and overall welfare. This includes providing access to equipment like tractors, harvesters, and threshers, tailored to their specific needs. WIMA has already reached about 300 women in the Katchia Local Government Area of Kaduna State and plans to expand its reach across Nigeria and eventually throughout Africa.
The Impact So Far
So far, WIMA has impacted over 300 women farmers in Kaduna State, with plans to expand nationwide and across Africa.
The Road Ahead
WIMA is not just about providing equipment; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem where women farmers can thrive. By addressing the critical gaps in access to technology, finance, and markets, WIMA is paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous agricultural sector in Nigeria.
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