Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life
Her project supports the following SDGs:
What are the SDGs?
The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
Pioneering Sustainable Farming Solutions
Professor Juliana Amaka Ugwu, a member of the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Research for Development (NiWARD), is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture in Nigeria by reducing chemical pesticide use. She combines scientific innovation with community engagement to improve farming practices.
Through her initiatives, Juliana has trained over 200 rural women in poultry farming, snail farming, and small-scale agribusiness. She also provides food-processing machines to widows, boosting food security and household income. Her workshops integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, digital literacy, and work-life balance, empowering women and youth in underserved communities to build new skills.
As a Research Professor of Forest Entomology at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Juliana focuses on developing affordable, plant-based biopesticides using botanical extracts.
These eco-friendly solutions enhance crop yields while reducing reliance on harmful chemicals.