Empowering Women, Growing Africa: AyosifamHub’s Commitment to Sustainable Farming

AyosifamHub is a proud supporter of women in agriculture, and a recent report highlighting that 3.3 million women grow food on plots in Sub-Saharan Africa underscores the vital role they play in our food systems. More than just farmers, these women are the cornerstone of Africa’s development, making significant contributions to food security, local economies, and the well-being of their families and communities. Their work helps to reduce hunger and improve nutrition, as income controlled by women is more often reinvested into their households for food, health, and education.

While these women have deep traditional farming knowledge, they often face significant barriers, including a lack of access to crucial resources like land, equipment, financial support, Information Technology, and markets.

AyosifamHub’s Micro-loan Initiative

This is why AyosifamHub is committed to bridging that gap. We believe that empowering these farmers with the right tools and support is the key to creating a more resilient and sustainable food future.

In a significant step towards this goal, AyosifamHub has not only provided micro-loans to 20 women smallholder farmers, but also a market and Information Technology enabling environment through the extension agents. The initiative, executed in the local government areas of Moro and Ilorin South, focused on cultivating high-yield crops.

These micro-loans and a supportive environment enabled the women to engage in both potato and cassava farming, which are staple crops with great economic potential. To ensure the program’s sustainability and flexibility, the loan repayment is designed to be farmer-friendly. The women can either pay back after harvest with an interest rate of 5% or, alternatively, they can pay back with produce of an equivalent value.

This program is a small but impactful step in a broader movement to support women farmers. As highlighted in the report, moving towards an agroecological approach—which involves environmentally friendly practices and supports local markets—can further boost the productivity and resilience of these farms. AyosifamHub is committed to exploring and implementing these practices, ensuring that our local farming communities can thrive and contribute to a healthier, more secure food system for all.