Empowerment Beyond the Farm: Cross-Cultural Lessons, Value Addition & Livelihood Strategies for Rural Women

What does true empowerment look like for rural women in agriculture?In this powerful episode of The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast, we sit with Professor Sarafat Ayanfunke Tijani, a leading scholar in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ibadan.

Drawing from her research in Japan and Nigeria, Professor Tijani unpacks practical and research-backed strategies that go beyond traditional farming.

We explore:

• Lessons from Japan’s Direct Farmers’ Markets and how they can transform women’s economic power
• Value addition in shea butter, tomato processing, and other agricultural products
• The role of home economics and non-farm income activities in building household resilience
• Livelihood diversification strategies that strengthen food security
• What an effective extension paradigm shift should look like for rural women in Nigeria

This conversation delivers deep insights for agricultural extension officers, rural development practitioners, policymakers, gender advocates, agribusiness professionals, researchers, and anyone passionate about inclusive agricultural development.

Whether you work in the field or influence policy, this episode offers timeless lessons on how to design empowerment approaches that create real impact.

Listen now and discover how rural women can thrive beyond the farm.

Guest: Professor Sarafat Ayanfunke Tijani
Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development, University of Ibadan

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