The agricultural sector in Nigeria is dominated by women who have faced numerous challenges over the years in primary and secondary production. One of the major issues they face is the lack of farm machinery and support, which limits the area of land they can cultivate. The cost of land preparation accounts for as much as 60% of the entire cost of cultivation, meaning that women are limited to only cleared areas. This has led to the formation of clusters based on available resources that thrive in a particular region. Women in these clusters work from cultivation to value addition, processing various end products.

Unfortunately, many of these women still use old-fashioned methods, which expose them to health hazards. The She Farmers Initiative (SFI) is a global initiative for African women, established in Nigeria on June 8th, 2021, to provide and advocate for women in the agricultural sector for food sustainability. SFI seeks to create an enabling environment for female agri-entrepreneurs to thrive in Africa. Their mission is to provide support for improved agricultural business, adequate infrastructure support for rural women farmers, promote education, technology, and financial inclusion for women in the agricultural business, improve agricultural processing through advanced technology and world best practice, transform women from the informal to the formal sector, create a market for agro-commodities and reduce post-harvest losses, and provide financial inclusion and literacy for women in the agricultural sector.

In line with its mission to promote sustainable agriculture, Palatehub is proud to partner with SFI as part of its “Grow and Replicate Agro Communities” initiative. At Palatehub, we believe that sustainable agriculture is not just about profits but also about building strong communities. As such, our capacity-building services are tailored to the specific needs of each community, association, or cooperative they work with. We facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers and provide continuous support to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to succeed. Our market access services provide analysis, networking, and supply chain optimization, enabling farmers to connect with buyers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the industry. Contact Palatehub today to learn more about how they can help you build a sustainable future for your community.

SFI will be inaugurating its Ekiti State chapter on the 11th of May 2023, and Palatehub is proud to be a partner of SFI in its efforts to empower women in the agricultural sector.