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Kwara Govt Partners CALA To Empower Women, Promote Soya-beans Value Chain
A transformative Agricultural initiative aimed at enhancing value chain of Soya bean production has been successfully implemented by the Kwara State Government in collaboration with the centre for African Leaders in Agriculture CALA and other partners.
The programme is part of the Kwara State Agricultural Development Project, KWADP, which is in alignment with the agenda of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to boost agriculture, empower women and youths, and improve food production across the State.
The initiative, celebrated during the “Business Meeting to Nutritious Soya Tofu” event, trained clusters of women on value addition, marketing, and hygienic packaging of soy-based products.
Through the training, participants produced tofu with a remarkable shelf life of six months, far exceeding the usual three-day shelf period, hereby improving export potentials and quality standards.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, who represented Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, commended CALA and its partners for their commitment to agricultural development.
Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas highlighted the programme’s success in empowering women to engage in tofu production as a sustainable business venture, contributing to both food security and economic development.
She noted that the State Government is committed to the wellbeing of women, youths, and farmers, with the focus on increasing agricultural productivity and unlocking value chain opportunities for key crops like soya beans. Tofu, being highly nutritious, not only supports healthy living but also presents a viable economic opportunity for entrepreneurs.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving agricultural growth, encouraging more public-private partnerships to advance Kwara State’s agricultural sector in the coming year.
Mrs.Thomas also announced that the State will launch monthly capacity development programmes for farmers in 2025 to equip them with practical skills for improved productivity.
The Managing Director of KWADP, Dr. Khadijat Ahmed, underscored the significance of training programmes as a cornerstone of KWADP’s objectives.
She noted that Soy Tofu Beske contains higher protein content compared to meat and fish, making it a valuable addition to diets and a source of economic empowerment for women.
The representative of CALA at the event, Dr. Bamishaiye praised Kwara State Government for its readiness to implement such initiatives and noted the State’s advantage as one of Nigeria’s major producers of soya beans.
She emphasized that Soy Tofu provides a healthy, protein-rich alternative to meat, suitable for all demographics, including vegetarians.
By Ameen Ayinla
