Anambra House Speaker Empowers Over 500 Widows With Orange-Fresh Sweet Potato Stalks to Boost Self-Reliance

 

A wave of hope recently swept through Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtoochukwu Udeze, launched an initiative aimed at transforming the lives of over 500 widows. The event, held at his Atani Country home, saw the distribution of bundles of Orange-Fresh Sweet Potato stalks to the women, signaling a drive toward agricultural self-sufficiency and grassroots economic development.

The beneficiaries, drawn from different wards across the local government, gathered to receive not just planting materials but also a wealth of knowledge. A seasoned expert in agricultural practices conducted a comprehensive training session focused on the cultivation, value chains, and health benefits of the Orange-Fresh Sweet Potato variety. The lecture offered valuable insight into how this nutrient-rich crop can serve as both a food source and a tool for financial empowerment.

Speaker Udeze addressed the widows with a strong message of encouragement. He noted that the initiative was not just about giving out farm inputs but about providing a foundation for long-term independence. According to him, the Orange-Fresh Sweet Potato has far-reaching benefits, not only for nutrition and health but also as a sustainable economic venture. He stressed the importance of taking the training seriously and turning their new knowledge into action on their farmlands.

The choice of crop was no accident. The Orange-Fresh Sweet Potato is renowned for its high vitamin A content and adaptability to various soil types. It also matures relatively quickly, offering an accessible entry point for smallholder farmers and low-income households. For widows often burdened with financial hardship and limited opportunities, this initiative offers a practical solution to both food insecurity and poverty.

During his remarks, Udeze emphasized that farming should not be seen merely as a survival activity but as a viable business. He pointed out that, with consistent effort and proper farming techniques, the cultivation of Orange-Fresh Sweet Potatoes could become a steady source of income. He urged the women to see themselves as contributors to community development and to inspire others to embrace agriculture as a path to self-sustenance.

The training was designed not only to teach farming methods but also to educate participants on the entire value chain. From planting and harvesting to packaging and marketing, the resource person explained each step in a way that made the process accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experience in farming. He underscored the crop’s medicinal benefits, including its role in boosting immunity and addressing nutritional deficiencies, especially in children and aging adults.

There was a strong consensus among the women that this support marked a turning point in their lives. Some of the beneficiaries shared their enthusiasm and gratitude, expressing their determination to turn the opportunity into a source of livelihood. Several noted that they would go on to expand their farms and help other women in their communities learn about the crop and its advantages.

By focusing on a crop with both economic and nutritional value, the project aims to create lasting change. Speaker Udeze’s effort has been widely praised as a model for empowering vulnerable groups without resorting to short-term charity. Instead, it reflects a forward-thinking approach that combines agricultural development with community empowerment.

Observers from the local government and community leaders who witnessed the event lauded the initiative. They described it as a timely intervention that not only addresses the immediate needs of the widows but also lays the groundwork for broader rural economic development.

This movement toward self-sufficiency is expected to create ripple effects across Ogbaru and beyond. As more women embrace the cultivation of Orange-Fresh Sweet Potatoes, communities will likely see improvements in nutrition, household income, and general well-being. The Speaker’s initiative is now seen as a beacon of practical leadership, rooted in empathy and strategic thinking.

With proper follow-up support and continued community engagement, this intervention has the potential to be scaled across other local governments in the state. For now, the widows of Ogbaru are planting more than just crops; they are cultivating a future rich with purpose, dignity, and hope.