Several and diverse stories come out of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria covering various issues with the most reoccurring ones around; the vandalization in the oil and gas sector, community issues, kidnapping and lots of other stories that cast a negative shadow on this richly endowed geographical area. While this narrative seems to be the image which is portrayed to the world about the Niger Delta Region, there is still some good left in this region and we think these stories ought to be told.
A week ago we shone the spotlight on Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo, coordinator of the Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) operating out of Akoko-Edo, Ondo State. This week, we bring you;
Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu
Nnaemeka is one of the few young individuals that have always been passionate about Agriculture. The Imo state indigene who is also a History and International Relations graduate of Imo State University is the founder of a non-profit organization known as Small Holders Foundation.
Nnaemeka has dedicated his life to ensuring that the lot of small holder farmers are improved through a people’s owned community radio system called the Small Holders Farmers Rural Radio (SHFRR) – a project that disseminates local knowledge on best practices in agriculture. Through this platform, farmers gain information on modern farming techniques, information on agricultural innovations is disseminated easily, empowerment of the farmers is also easily achieved by giving them a voice and ownership in the project.
Small Holders Farmers Rural Radio employs the use of interactive technology to broadcast information that span from crop production, livestock rearing, sustainable environmental management, conservation, and export processes and business. The most interesting part of this project is the fact that all communication problems are completely eradicated as the programs are broadcasted in Igbo, the native language of farmers in Imo State where this project is currently running.
Small Holders Foundation which is the parent body of this project also has the following on its list of initiatives:
- Y! Agripreneurs Program- An agricultural entrepreneurship program for youths
- Small Holders Micro Credit– A credit and loan system for farmers
- Small Holders Seeds– An initiative that grants farmers access to improved variety seeds.
A few months ago, Nnaemeka came up with a new innovation to cut post harvest losses by 80%, he calls it ColdHubs. ColdHubs is a 120mm insulated solar powered outdoor fridge designed to help farmers store their perishable produce properly.
Do you know any social entrepreneurs based in the Niger Delta, send an email to chinwe@startupnigeria.net. We would love to profile them and tell their story.
Image credit:communicatingnigeria.com
