Rep. Tunji Olawuyi representing Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero of Kwara has trained women and youths in his constituency on the use of water pumping machines for irrigation purposes.

“The two-day training was meant to empower the beneficiaries.” Olawuyi said.

The training, which was conducted by the National Productivity Centre, NPC, in collaboration with his office, held in Omu-Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, the lawmaker said.

The resource person, Mr Adebayo Lawal, from Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, said empowering women and youths in rice farming through the mastery of water pumping machines is essential for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.

He explained that by utilising the machine, they will not only contribute to environmental preservation but also drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.

Lawal told the beneficiaries that the art of water pumping machines involved understanding their functionality, maintenance, and proper usage for agriculturally efficient rice farming.

Mr Ganiyu Salami, who represented Olawuyi, said the legislator would continue to empower the people to ensure food security in the constituency

Salami, who is the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the lawmaker, commended development partners for the success of the training while asking for more productive partnerships in the future for agricultural growth of the constituency.

“The only way we can help grow the economy is to meaningfully engage and empower the people with programmes that will not only ensure food security but economically viable venture.

“Let me urge you to ensure you take this opportunity seriously by judiciously implementing the knowledge from the training.

“Let me assure you that we will continue to support the people of our constituency, we have been giving attention to the agricultural sector, and we won't stop,” he said.

The resource person, Mr Adebayo Lawal, from Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, said empowering women and youths in rice farming through the mastery of water pumping machines is essential for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.

He explained that by utilising the machine, they will not only contribute to environmental preservation but also drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.

Lawal told the beneficiaries that the art of water pumping machines involved understanding their functionality, maintenance, and proper usage for agriculturally efficient rice farming.

Mr Ganiyu Salami said the legislator would continue to empower the people to ensure food security in the constituency.

Beneficiaries were picked from Agbeloba, Mekunu, Arike, Ominira, Agbedun, and Agbeniyi farmers associations. Reports said.

They were given certificates, pumping, and half bag of rice seedlings at the end of the exercise for start-up.