SHE FARMS Launch: A New Era of Inclusivity in the Agricultural Sector
In 2022, a baseline study by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UN Women indicated that many women with disabilities are economically marginalized and are regarded as objects of pity. Many live below the poverty line in Cross River State which is an Agric-dependent state as Agriculture contributes 31% to Cross River State’s GDP. SHE FARMS is a project with the aim to leverage the agricultural potential of the state to build inclusive economic models and address the compounding socio-economic exclusion experienced by women with disabilities in Cross River State.
Driving the project is The Initiative for the Upliftment of Disabled Persons (IFUDIP) with Hakara Care-Well Initiative sponsored by The French Embassy in Nigeria. The groundbreaking launch of SHE Farms project in Calabar took place on 26th of August, 2025 at 84 Mayne Avenue, by Ekpo Abasi, Calabar, while the launch in Biase took place on 16th of September, 2025 in Akpet Central, Biase, Cross River State; bringing together the French Embassy, Ministries, Community stakeholders, organizations focused on women living with disabilities and the beneficiaries. SHE FARMS – Strengthening Her Enterprise – Farming and Resilience for Market Sustainability is a project set to revolutionize the Agric sector.
During the launch ceremonies in Biase and Calabar, the Programs Director, Mr. Dominion Bassey lectured attendees on the core objectives and deliverables of the project which include empowering 100 women with disabilities with agricultural and entrepreneurial skills, setting up agro-based cooperatives and VSLAs (Village Savings and Loan Association) to support Agric-businesses, developing a gender and disability-inclusive agricultural policy frame work.
Furthermore, the project launch ceremonies featured Key note speeches from partners, good will messages, endorsement speeches and an in-depth discourse on the core objectives of the project. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with stakeholders and the project team. In Calabar, The Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the chapter chairman of Joint National Association of Person’s with Disability, a representative of the Concerned Women Living with Disability Network promised to work hand-in-hand with the partners and sponsor of the project to ensure its success. In Biase, the S.A. to the Chairman on women Affairs, the Director of Agric, the Community Development Officer, Supervisor for Agric, and other stakeholders, attendees and beneficiaries, thanked the project team and appealed to beneficiaries to ensure the project runs smoothly. Stakeholders pledged their support and promised to ensure the project is carried out without hitch.
The project team in the coming days will push forward by organizing inclusive agribusiness trainings, establishing cooperative structures and VSLA (Village Savings and Loan Association) groups, providing climate-smart tools and inputs to beneficiaries in Calabar south, Calabar municipality and Biase, providing market linkages and establishing off take agreements. The team will conduct policy dialogue events with ministries and community stakeholders to develop and publish a gender and disability-inclusive agricultural policy and framework. At the end of this project, the team expects increased household income and sustainable livelihoods for women living with disabilities, improved visibility and inclusion of women with disabilities as well as long-term integration of disability-inclusive agricultural policies in Cross River State. This activity is supported by the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society (FEF OSC).
