AGRA

At an energetic pace, Habiba Abdulkarim is more than just a farmer; she is a connector and an advocate. A woman from the Zaria region of Kaduna State, Habiba has cultivated the land as part of a women’s cooperative, primarily growing maize and ginger. For years, accessing enough land to farm was a significant hurdle, limiting their potential and their harvests.

“We often worried about where we would find land to plant,” Habiba recalls, her brow furrowing slightly at the memory. “It held us back from growing more and improving our lives.”

That changed when the Gender Consortium, with the support of AGRA, brought new awareness and a pathway for advocacy to her community. Through workshops and guidance, Habiba and her fellow cooperative members learned how to voice their needs to traditional leaders. Their determined efforts led them to the Hakimi, who listened and allocated 2.4 hectares of land for their collective use.

“It was a huge relief,” Habiba exclaims, a smile spreading across her face. “Finally, we had a place to farm together, to plan and to grow.”

But the journey didn’t end with land. Habiba and her cooperative recognized another critical challenge: accessing quality seeds. Buying seeds individually was expensive and often meant settling for lower quality. Inspired by the spirit of collaboration fostered by AGRA, Habiba and other women’s cooperatives began to network. They connected with other women’s farming groups, realizing the strength in numbers.

“We learned that by working together, we could achieve more,” Habiba explains. “If many cooperatives pooled our money, we could buy better seeds at a better price.”

This collective approach caught the attention of AGRA, who stepped in to facilitate linkages with seed companies. By connecting these women’s cooperatives, AGRA helped bridge the gap between their needs and access to quality agricultural inputs.

Habiba’s story illustrates the power of collective action and the multiplier effect of AGRA’s support. By empowering women with advocacy skills and fostering networks, AGRA enabled them to not only secure land but also to address the critical issue of seed access. Habiba, now more confident and connected, is also encouraging other women in her community to embrace cooperative farming, sharing the knowledge and opportunities she has gained.

“We want other women to see that by working together and speaking up, we can overcome our challenges and build a better future for ourselves and our families,” Habiba emphasizes.

Habiba’s journey, while unique to her community, reflects a broader transformation. Across Nigeria, AGRA’s initiatives are strengthening the capacity of women farmers and their organizations, fostering collaboration, and improving access to essential resources. Habiba’s success is a testament to the potential that is unlocked when women are empowered to advocate for their needs and work together towards a common goal.

“Farming doesn’t have to be a lonely struggle,” Habiba concludes. “By joining hands and learning how to ask for what we need, we can grow stronger together.”

Habiba’s inspiring story demonstrates how empowering women with advocacy skills and fostering cooperative networks can lead to tangible improvements in land access and seed security, paving the way for greater agricultural productivity and economic empowerment.