19th edition of Rural women’s day 2014

Parents urged to educate children interested in agriculture
By Sarah Nkongho Ojong in Missellele
In a bid to promote family farming in which children are encouraged to join their mothers in farm activities, a call was made for agricultural studies to be pursued by children with agricultural background to ensure that the sector becomes more revolutionized.
    The call was made during celebrations marking the 19th edition of the international day of the rural woman at Missellele in Tiko October 15, 2014 under theme ‘Together let us promote family farming’, following the skills showcased by the rural woman in the transformation of farm products. Such skills were motivated with prizes awarded to the women with best cassava transformation into ‘waterfufu’, ‘miondo’, ‘bobolo’, best corn transformation into corn fufu, pap, and corn beer and best palm oil into soap (cocosoap as commonly called and savon).
     The celebrations which took place under the patronage of the D.O for Tiko Che Ngwashi Patrick organized by the ministry of women empowerment and the family represented by the sub divisional delegate, Sone John Mesumbe, brought together women in their various cultural groups from rural areas within the Tiko municipality amongst which were the Keme camp women, Missellele women, Lebang women, Koshin women just to name a few.

    Also present at the event were the delegate of agricultural, 3rd deputy mayor Tiko council, Bwema Enjema Besong, some traditional rulers of Tiko like the newly appointed Chief of Ebonji, HRH Chief Moukondo Daniel Ngande, the chiefs of Missellele and Mondoni, HRH Chief Mbollo Ndedi Yves Patrice and HRH Chief Kombe Richard Ndike respectively and a host of others.
    In the presence of the authorities and traditional heads, the women called for equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in Tiko municipality and the world at large as they emphasized on the need to encourage children to join their mothers in farming which has taken other forms such as poultry, piggery, soap manufacturing, cassava transformation and others.
    It should be noted that agriculture covers 70 % of all goods used on a daily basis and the main actor in the agricultural sector is the woman especially the rural woman and as such she cannot be neglected as she plays a very vital role in society.
    Speaking during the day’s celebration, Chief Mbollo of Missellele called on everyone present to stand strongly behind women for they are not just the primary actors in agriculture but are also same in the procreation cycle.
    On his part, the D.O Che Ngwashi Patrick reiterated that the young girls of the area and all over take participation in family farming seriously as there are numerous departments in public institutions now specialized on agriculture. He went further to call on the women to be more observant in making full use of the delegation of agriculture and the chief of post for zoo-technical services, all these to help improve on the farm products and assist the women in the family farming goals.
    On behalf of the ministry of women empowerment and the family, MINPREFF, the sub divisional delegate Sone John Mesumbe appealed on the government to see into the problems of the rural woman who is highly affected by problems of the agricultural sector. The delegate in his capacity after consenting with other officials officially handed over the baton de commandement which was symbolized in a traditional broom to the chief of Mondoni, chief Ndike as next host of the rural women day 2015.
    Activities to mark the celebrations included drama sketch in which the essence of family farming was displayed and used to ameliorate a family’s status, thug of war, dancing and singing while walking race and other sports activities took place prior to the main celebration.
    If there was one thing this reporter left the occasion which was crowned with powerful messages depicted by the women to empower themselves and the general population on organizational and financial management, to manage their houses, educate their children, their rights to farm land, right to own plots and build houses, it will be hard work being the key to success whether the woman finds herself in an office job setting or in the farm. She should always be hard working because nowadays women are progressing very powerfully as presidents, mayors, like mama mayor of the Tiko council, pastor, captains, you name the rest.