Honda Uplifts 10 Women Farmers

In response to the ongoing economic challenges facing the country, Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited has extended support to women farmers in the Southwest through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at enhancing their agricultural output.

As part of the program, 10 female farmers received complimentary Honda land tillers, water pumps, and motorized backpack sprayers — a move that brought joy and relief to the beneficiaries. The event, held in Lagos under the theme “Empowering Women in Agriculture,” brought together various women engaged in farming across different sectors.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tetsuya Kawai, Managing Director of Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited, emphasized that the initiative was designed to recognize and strengthen the contributions of women in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. He noted that the support package — which included not just equipment, but also training — was intended to increase both the productivity and income levels of the beneficiaries.

Kawai explained that the company, fully aware of the many hurdles faced by farmers, chose to focus on empowering women, given their central role in household welfare and economic resilience. He added that Honda’s machinery would significantly enhance the women’s efficiency compared to traditional farming methods.

Also speaking at the event, the Divisional Manager of Sales and Customer Services, Mr. Olabode Badenjo, noted that while Honda produces a wide range of products including vehicles and motorcycles, the primary consumers are men. This realization, he said, spurred the company to redirect some of its CSR focus towards empowering women, particularly in agriculture.

He explained that the company intentionally designed a program that prioritizes the empowerment of women, recognizing their often-overlooked contributions. Since launching the initiative, the company has also increased its efforts to recruit more women into its workforce.

Badenjo noted that, in line with the company’s renewed focus on agricultural development, Honda has begun producing a wider range of farming equipment — including tractors, land tillers, and water pumps — aimed at supporting women farmers and contributing to the nation’s economic advancement.

Meanwhile, Professor Chinwe Obuaku, Climate Change Consultant and Technical Team Lead to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, emphasized the importance of collective advocacy among women farmers. She called for the drafting of a communiqué to be presented to state governors across the Southwest, urging action on food security.

According to her, such a communiqué would encourage governors to convene town hall meetings tailored to the needs of women, particularly those in rural communities, thereby expanding opportunities for empowerment and agricultural support across the region.