Celebrating our women in agriculture Ruth Ardzard The Knowledge Transfer Manager, Nigeria
ONCE A MOTHER, ALWAYS A TEACHER Ruth Ardzard is our Knowledge Transfer Manager based in Kaduna, Nigeria. She dedicates herself to improving smallholder farmers’ skills and to sharing knowledge on the importance of quality seeds for better yields. At home, she is a dedicated mother to her adorable fouryear-old twins. In her career and her personal life, how does Ruth take on the various roles of a teacher?
Ruth's story “Nigeria, like most African countries, is in dire need of capacity building. Unfortunately, women’s voices in our society have not been heard enough. Women in Nigeria have missed many great opportunities, they generally remain timid and poor because society often sees men in leadership roles more than women. So having a chance to work as the Knowledge transfer Manager has fulfilled my dream and my purpose in life. My job has provided me the opportunity to be a true giver; the farmer’s teacher. My team and I have made an impact on smallholder farmers’ lives. I inspire women in the community that we can make the difference and we are powerful,” said Ruth.
East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer team has a strong mission to improve on farm-skills of smallholder vegetable farmers through sharing evidence-based knowledge on profitable and sustainable farming practices in Asia and Africa. The team seeks to be a partner of choice in developing a vibrant and sustainable vegetable sector, bringing widespread impact to smallholder farmers.
"I always emphasize the importance of hard-work while educating my girls."
STORY OF RUTH Ruth says, “my job affects my life in many aspects. I adapt knowledge from work to teach my children at home. As a mother to my four-year-old twins, I teach my kids how to identify vegetables in our garden. I let them explore shapes, colors, and experiment growing plants with bare hands. I always emphasize the importance of hard-work while educating my girls. Our family vegetable garden has become a source of attraction in my neighborhood. We plant vegetables not only for household consumption but to share them with the whole community which made me quite well-known in my area. It is a good way to get farmers’ feedback and ideas. My work and life are well-balanced, and this has deepened my affection and commitment to serve smallholder farmers. I love what I do. The feelings when farmers give compliments on what I do reflects the acceptance of African women’s role in society. It is important for everyone to know that they are worthy. I am fully driven by purpose and passion every day of my life.”
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