Bauchi: The UN Women has initiated a training program for 20 artisans and seven agricultural extension workers in Bauchi, focusing on biogas digester installation, maintenance, and kitchen gardening. This initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of rural communities in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the National Coordinator for the UN Women Biogas Projects, Mr. Desmond Osemije, announced the training during its opening in Bauchi. He emphasized that the project is designed to address climate challenges in rural areas. The training equips 20 technicians, mainly plumbers, with skills to install and maintain biogas digesters, who will further train 250 rural women beneficiaries in Bauchi and Dass Local Government Areas.
Osemije highlighted that 250 rural women, comprising 125 each from Bauchi and Dass LGAs, would benefit from the biogas digesters. He also mentioned that seven agricultural extension workers are being trained to establish kitchen gardens to enable rural households to grow vegetables and other crops, providing easy access to fresh food.
He outlined the project’s objectives to improve women’s time use, boost agricultural productivity and incomes, enhance health standards, reduce deforestation, and significantly contribute to combating climate change. Osemije pointed out that producing low-cost biogas from animal waste offers rural women affordable clean energy for cooking, reduces income and time poverty, and decreases exposure to health hazards and risks of gender-based violence.
Hajiya Marka Abbas, the National Public Relations Officer of the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, stressed the importance of collaboration with UN Women to promote sustainable agricultural practices and a cleaner environment. She noted that the project not only trains women and artisans in bio-digester installation and maintenance but also creates income generation opportunities and economic independence.
Abbas added that by converting waste into biogas and organic fertilizer, the project supports a circular economy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and combats deforestation. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Bauchi State Government through the Ministries of Women Affairs and Agriculture.
A participant, Miss Fatima Usman, expressed confidence that the training would improve her livelihood and committed to sharing the knowledge with other rural women.
