The Ziva Community Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has provided training for women engaged in agriculture and mining in Nasarawa State, equipping them with climate-smart practices to enhance productivity and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the training session on Wednesday in Lafia, Ms Patience Ogbode, Gender Inclusion Officer at the Ziva Community Initiative, said the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of women in agriculture and mining by promoting sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods.
She noted that the training also aimed to address the energy deficit experienced in Northern Nigeria.
Ogbode, who also serves as the Project Manager for the “Increasing Renewable Energy Investment for the Empowerment of Women in Sustainable Agriculture and Lithium Mining in West Africa” (IREEWAM West Africa), explained that women were among the most affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.
She highlighted that empowering women with knowledge and tools for climate-smart agriculture and mining formed a key component of the IREEWAM project, supported by the Africa Centre for Energy Policy.
“There is an urgent need to build the capacity of women on climate-resilient agricultural and mining practices,” she said. “This training is meant to help them gain better value for their work and improve sustainability.”
She explained that the project seeks to empower women, especially those working in agriculture and lithium mining, by advocating for inclusive policies and supporting their transition to renewable energy use.
“Through this initiative, we are encouraging the adoption of renewable energy solutions that can help women carry out their work more efficiently and sustainably,” she added.
Ogbode urged participants who were drawn from various community-based groups to apply and disseminate the knowledge acquired to help communities adapt to changing climate conditions.
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Participants included members of the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), Women in Mining, and the Advocate for Women with Disabilities Initiative.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Lydia Kyari, Director of Agricultural Engineering Services at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged women to adopt renewable energy technologies and embrace smart agricultural techniques to improve their output.
“If women in agriculture and mining adopt climate-smart methods, it will significantly enhance their income and contribute positively to the national economy,” she said.
In a presentation on “Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Eco-Friendly Mining for Climate Change Mitigation,” Prof Shekwonyadu Iyakwari of the Department of Geology, Federal University of Lafia, emphasised responsible land and resource use.
He recommended practices such as crop rotation, mixed farming, bush fallow, reduced use of inorganic fertilisers, tree planting to combat deforestation, and responsible disposal of mining waste.
Mrs Mayowa Edgar, Head of Infrastructure Finance and Public-Private Partnership at the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency (NASIDA), also underscored the role of women in leadership and policy advocacy within agriculture and mining sectors.
“Women can influence local policies and create awareness on climate-related challenges affecting their livelihoods,” she said. “Leadership is not about position it is about taking initiative and making an impact in your community.”
Participants, including Mrs Caroline Abimiku, Assistant Coordinator of SWOFON, and Hajiya Halima Sabo, Assistant Coordinator of Women in Mining, expressed gratitude to the organisers and pledged to share the insights gained with fellow members.
