Garissa's Ebla Hassan nominated as finalist for African Agribusiness Woman Of The Year
The 2023 African Woman in Agribusiness Awards aims at honouring women who have contributed to the growth of agribusiness development on the African continent.
Ebla Hassan, a farmer at Ebby farm of Korakora in Garissa Township Sub-County, has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 African Agribusiness Woman Of The Year award.
The 2023 African Woman in Agribusiness Awards aims at honouring women who have contributed to the growth of agribusiness development on the African continent.
Ebla has been selected under the category "Best African Woman Farmer" and is set to travel to Ghana for the ceremony slated for 18 November 2023.
Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice on Saturday, Ebla expressed joy and gratitude after her selection as a finalist.
Ebla said her efforts will go a long way towards elevating the status of women from the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asals) part of Kenya who are contributing towards the growth of agribusiness development on the African continent.
Ebla Hassan at Ebby farm in Garissa County. She has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 African Agribusiness Woman Of The Year award. (Photo: Courtesy)
Ebla hopes that through her recognition, she will serve as a role model to many women and youth from a region which has been stereotyped and negatively linked to insecurity and struggles as a result of drought and heavy reliance on relief food support.
She said many pastoralists have now sought an alternative livelihood through crop farming after they lost their livestock through decades of drought.
Ebla says that these are the people who need to be empowered since many lack the requisite farming skills.
Asked how she ventured into crop farming in a region where the majority are rooted in nomadic lifestyles, Ebla says it was driven by a passion which she developed since childhood.
Ebla Hassan at Ebby farm in Garissa County. She has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 African Agribusiness Woman Of The Year award. (Photo: Courtesy)
She attributed that to her mother whom she says has always been her role model and greatest pillar in life.
Financial stability
“My mother has been farming for the last 30 years. After we lost our livestock to drought, she resorted to farming which became our main source of income. After completing my college studies I did not bother to wait for job opportunities to arise like many youth. I immediately took up farming where I have seen many promising opportunities that can enable me to achieve a sustainable livelihood," said Ebla.
According to her, she made the right choice and is now financially stable through her farming initiative.
Ebla recently mobilized farmers to form the Garissa Farmers Network where she holds the position of Secretary-General.
The Garissa Farmers Network is now a cooperative society that brings farmers together to scale their production and support them in accessing market opportunities.
Garissa Township MP Dekow Barrow speaking at Alfalah farm where he joined members of the Garissa Farmers Network to celebrate Ebla Hassan’s achievement. (Photo: Courtesy)
Ebla said the local farmers were facing many challenges including shifting from pastoralism to crop farming, lack of access to financial support as well as the lack of market opportunities for their farm produce which can now be overcome through such cooperatives.
Members of the Garissa Farmers Network were overwhelmed with joy upon getting the news of her nomination to the continental awards and last week celebrated Ebla’s achievement at Falah Farm where the Garissa Township MP Major Dekow Barrow was the chief guest.
The MP expressed his pride saying Elba's nomination would fly Kenya's flag high internationally.
Dekow said Elba's story was an inspiration to many since she comes from a region that is not well known for agriculture and her dedication and hard work deserved her global recognition.
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