Across farms and training sites from Essequibo to Region Five, women are quietly reshaping their futures through a climate-smart agriculture programme designed to turn knowledge into income and resilience.
At the centre of the initiative is the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), implemented by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). The programme is equipping women with modern farming skills aimed at strengthening livelihoods while supporting a more climate-resilient agriculture sector.
For many participants, the experience marks a shift from traditional farming methods to more innovative, sustainable practices. Training sessions cover techniques such as composting, hydroponics, agro-processing, and advanced crop propagation methods including budding and grafting.
For Chhomatie Mangar, the lessons have been both practical and empowering. “I learned a lot… I learned to make compost—the different types of compost. I would like to advise young women, single parents to join the course,” she said, encouraging others to take advantage of the opportunity.
In Region Two, farmer Bibi Hafeeza Baksh brings more than 15 years of experience to the programme, yet says the training has still opened new doors for growth. “I learned so many new things I never thought were so beneficial… hydroponics, agro-processing, budding and grafting, and a lot more,” she said, describing the course as an upgrade to long-held farming knowledge.
Further west in Region Five, Alicia Shepherd says the impact goes beyond agriculture. At a hydroponics site where participants are learning to grow plants using water-based systems, she says the programme is also building confidence and independence. “I’m happy to be here… I would like to encourage more women out there that we can come on board,” she said.
As climate pressures continue to challenge traditional agriculture, the programme is positioning women not only as farmers adapting to change, but as active drivers of innovation—building skills, incomes, and more sustainable futures one harvest at a time.
