3 weeks ago
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The member representing Eket/Oñna/Esit-Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Okpolupm Etteh, has flagged off an empowerment and capacity-building programme targeting the training over 100 rural women in snail and fishing farming.
This was contained in a statement obtained from the lawmaker’s Media Office in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday.
The programme done in collaboration with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, was designed to boost food and medicine security among the rural dwellers.
“The training is expected to equip beneficiaries with essential skills in sustainable farming practices, empowering them to contribute significantly to food security while providing avenues for economic empowerment,” the statement said.
The lawmaker, who was represented at the ceremony by former Ibeno Chapter Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Ekoakwaha Etteh, stated that the choice was based on the high nutritional value of fish and snails.
“The empowerment training on fish and snail farming was chosen for the low entry barriers and high nutritional value of fish and snails the statement mentioned”, adding, “It aligns with Governor Umo Eno’s A.R.I.S.E Agenda in boosting local agricultural productivity and fostering self-reliance among women in rural communities.”
While emphasising the importance of supporting women in agriculture to promote food security and economic independence, Etteh said that empowering women means empowering generations.
In his remarks, the representative of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Mrs Effa Adebola, said the training covers technical aspects of fish and snail farming, such as breeding, feeding, pest control, and harvesting.
She added, “Participants will also receive guidance on the medicinal and nutritional benefits of these practices, which is in line with the Agency’s expertise in natural food sources for health.”
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade, Obonganwan Oduok, commended the lawmaker for the inclusion of women in his empowerment scheme and expressed optimism on the positive impact the training will have on household income and local food supply.
