Agro-ecology Training on Sack Farming/Home Garden and Financial Literacy for Women, Youths and People with Special Needs
A Programme Organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)
The programme which took place in Minna, Niger State on the 28th May 2025 was well attended by women and youths from different parts of the country. As usual, Dpat Foundation was also on ground, represented by one of our ownc, Patience Oiza Fache, who represented the Dpat Foundation, Dpat Cooperative Union. The training workshop was focused on agro-ecology practices through sack farming/home gardening and financial literacy.
The event was specifically designed to empower women from various Cooperative groups , youth, and women with special needs with practical agricultural skills and essential knowledge of financial management. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to promote food security, economic self-reliance, and inclusive development communities.
Objectives of the Training
- The core objectives of the training were:
To introduce participants to sustainable farming techniques using limited space (sack farming/home gardening). - To enhance knowledge of agro-ecological principlesthat promote environmental sustainability.
- To empower vulnerable groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities, with skills that improve livelihood and food security.
The training recorded active participation from various geopolitical zones In Nigeria. Women, youths and women with special needs where present. Efforts were made to ensure inclusivity, with accessibility considerations such as sign language interpretation and simplified materials for visually impaired participants.
Training Modules and Activities
Participants were introduced to the various princinples, practice and techniques involved in sack farming as parts of the training modules. This include:
· The principles of agro-ecology: soil health, biodiversity and organic inputs.
· Sustainable vegetable farming
· Practical sessions on sack farming: how to set up a sack garden, select appropriate crops (e.g., leafy greens, tomatoes, yam), and manage pests naturally.
· Sustainable yam production and food security.
· Home garden planning: using household waste for composting, and organic fertilizer.
· Soil health and management.
Outcomes and Impact
· Skills Acquired: Participants demonstrated clear understanding of sack farming and financial planning.
· Motivation Boosted: Many women and youth expressed renewed confidence in their ability to start home-based farming businesses.
· Participants were divided into small groups, according to their states and regions, and each participant received a starter kit (sack, vegetable seedlings, tomato seeds, rope , and yam seeds) with a spade.
The agro-ecology training on sack farming/home gardening and financial literacy has proven to be a practical, and impactful initiative. Its ability to empower and equip women, youths and people with special needs with the tools and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to food security and local economic growth was clearly demonstrated among the participants during the training.
