Sasakawa Africa Association and IAR, ABU Zaria Empower Women Cooperative

Sasakawa Africa Association and IAR, ABU Zaria Empower Women Cooperative

Others
May 14, 2026

Yesterday 13th May 2026, the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in collaboration with the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), has successfully implemented a community intervention project aimed at strengthening the activities of a women’s cooperative society in Tudun Muntsira Community, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The intervention focused on empowering women engaged in small-scale farming and agro-processing through the provision of a grinding machine to support post-harvest handling activities and improve agricultural value addition within the community.

The grinding machine is expected to significantly reduce the time, labour, and stress associated with traditional processing methods while improving processing efficiency, product quality, and market competitiveness of agricultural produce handled by the women cooperative group.

The initiative reflects the commitment of IAR and Sasakawa Africa Association toward promoting women empowerment, improving rural livelihoods, and supporting sustainable agricultural development at the grassroots level.

Present during the programme were the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. S. B. Abdu; the Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Prof. L. L. Yakubu; the Head, Adopted Villages and Schools Unit, Dr. H. O. Yusuf; Dr. Z. Alfa; alongside other stakeholders and community representatives.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful in supporting their processing activities, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving income-generating opportunities for women in the community.

The project further demonstrates the importance of collaborative efforts between research institutions and development organizations in enhancing agricultural productivity, empowering rural women, and improving community resilience.

At IAR, we remain committed to transforming lives through agricultural research, extension, innovation, and community-based interventions.