The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has launched its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme in Kano, offering renewed hope for smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria.
The initiative, flagged off on Tuesday, is to equip farmers with modern skills and tools to boost yields, cut post-harvest losses, and strengthen food security across the North-West.
More than 7,000 farmers have registered from four geopolitical zones, with women and young people taking a central place in the training rollout.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, represented by the Executive Director of Finance, Mrs Eugenia Dominion, explained that the training goes beyond subsistence farming.
“This programme is about equipping our farmers with practical skills, proven methods, and market access strategies.
We want them to be able to farm smarter, earn better, and live with greater confidence,” Arukwe said.
The curriculum focuses on climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest management, cooperative development, financial literacy, and the use of digital tools to connect farmers with wider markets.
According to organisers, these modules are designed to help farmers cope with climate change challenges while improving productivity and incomes.
In his remarks, Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mamood, praised the initiative, calling it timely and aligned with state reforms.
“Our government has continued to invest heavily in agricultural reforms, employing over 1,000 extension officers and promoting mechanised farming”.
“This collaboration with the NNPC Foundation will further strengthen our drive to make Kano a hub of agricultural excellence,” Mamood said.
Beneficiaries have also welcomed the programme.
A farmer from Gwale Local Government, Alhaji Ado Japanese, described the training as life-changing.
“This training is a blessing to us. It will mobilise many farmers towards increased food production, and we believe it will improve our livelihoods,” he said.
The flag-off in Kano represents another milestone in the Foundation’s national effort to transform vulnerable farmers into resilient food producers.
Source: The whistler
Image Credit: The Sun
