By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA FCT – The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, on behalf of the federal government has entered into a strategic partnership with the City of Atlanta, United States, to cultivate and export Sunflower and Jatropha Curcas.
This collaboration, spearheaded by Minister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, aims to empower women-owned businesses, alleviate poverty, create jobs, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.
As part of this partnership, the Ministry has secured land space in various dams across the country to facilitate the cultivation of these valuable plants. The realized profits from the project will be shared among participating women entrepreneurs. This initiative is expected to have a transformative impact on the lives of Nigerian women and the nation’s economy.”
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanyere disclosed this in a statement released on her X account on Sunday.
The Minister urged all Nigerians to seize the significant opportunity presented by the cultivation of sunflower and jatropha curcas. These crops, highly sought after in European and American markets for their diverse applications, demonstrate exceptional growth potential in Nigeria.
While it takes over seven months to cultivate sunflowers in Europe, they mature in just ten to thirteen weeks in our country. Similarly, the jatropha curcas plant, traditionally associated with arid regions, can be harvested in eight months in Nigeria, compared to eighteen months in Europe and America.
The Minister of Women Affairs concluded that by collectively investing in these crops, we can drive a substantial turnaround for women’s empowerment and the nation’s economy, the statement added.
