Thimnu Launches Mega Empowerment Programme Transforming Guyuk, Shelleng Farming

Efforts to empower farmers and boost agricultural productivity are underway globally, with varied approaches focusing on market access and resource support. In Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Kobis Ari Thimnu launched a large-scale empowerment program providing fertilizers, sprayers, herbicides, and quality seeds to over 2,000 farmers in his constituency, aiming to improve yields and combat food insecurity amid recent local challenges. In the United States, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins organized the inaugural Great American Farmers Market on the National Mall to celebrate domestic agriculture, support farmers, and promote healthy eating, featuring vendors from 28 states and thematic daily events. Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali announced plans to build farmers’ markets nationwide to lower food costs and improve access to locally grown produce, alongside infrastructure improvements and subsidies to reduce living costs. Agricultural markets analyst Dr. Charles Dhewa emphasized the importance of developing robust market systems in Zimbabwe to enable farmers to sell their diverse commodities profitably, advocating for government involvement in purchasing, warehousing, and processing to stimulate economic growth and reduce farmers’ reliance on government input support. These initiatives collectively highlight the critical role of market development, resource provision, and government support in enhancing farmer livelihoods and food security.