The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) recently kicked off an exciting initiative called “Empowering Women through Composting and Organic Waste Management,” in partnership with the Tukpechi Women’s Association. Launched in Tukpechi, a community in the Kuje Area Council of Abuja, this project focuses on empowering local women to take charge of composting and managing organic waste, turning it into a valuable resource for farming and soil health.
As urbanization grows, Abuja faces significant environmental challenges. Over 60% of the city’s waste is organic, much of which ends up carelessly discarded. This new initiative aims to tackle these issues by helping women and youth lead sustainable practices that support both the environment and local agriculture.
Paul Joseph, a CSDevNet program officer, emphasized that local methods for organic waste management can boost crop yields while protecting the area’s biodiversity. He encouraged community members to see this initiative as a chance to foster ownership and leadership, which could lead to new income opportunities.
Participants took part in hands-on training on how to sort organic waste, set up compost pits, and even raise worms for vermicomposting. They received useful tools, such as compost bins and gloves, to help them get started.
A demonstration farm is already showing how composted materials can improve soil, retain moisture, and enhance crop growth. Community leaders are also engaging with local authorities to ensure that this initiative is aligned with broader environmental strategies.
Community Chief Habilla Zine noted that women in Tukpechi are vital to farming and food production. However, a lack of access to modern agricultural tools can hinder their efforts to maintain soil fertility and adapt to changing weather patterns. He pointed out that the timing of this training aligns perfectly with the harvest season, allowing participants to turn crop waste into organic fertilizer.
Mrs. Dorcas Isaac, a local farmer, shared her struggles with increasing costs for chemical fertilizers, which forced her to downsize her farm. She expressed gratitude for the composting training, as it has given her new strategies to manage her land sustainably without financial stress. By converting everyday waste into organic fertilizers, she feels more empowered and optimistic about the future.
This initiative not only embraces traditional knowledge but also combines it with modern practices to create a low-cost, community-driven solution. It highlights how climate action starts at home, showing how women can revitalize their land and community by transforming waste into wealth. The success of this project could serve as a blueprint for other communities throughout the region.
In a broader context, studies show that empowering women in agriculture can significantly impact food security and sustainable practices globally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), improving women’s access to resources could reduce the number of hungry people by up to 150 million. This emphasizes the importance of initiatives like the one in Tukpechi, where women not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to the health of their communities and the planet.
By empowering women, CSDevNet is not only enriching the land but also creating a model of sustainability that could inspire other regions facing similar challenges.
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Agroecology,Climate & Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet),climate action,Composting,Tukpechi women
