An agricultural initiative has commenced in Niger State, targeting over 40,000 maize and soybean farmers to adopt modern, climate-smart farming techniques.

The Project Coordinator of the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), Mr Isaac Eni, disclosed this during a “Training of Trainers” session for Extension Agents and Community-Based Advisors in Minna. 

The initiative is part of a larger project titled ”Enhancing the Productivity and Competitiveness of Smallholder Farmers in the Maize-Soybean Farming System in Niger and Kaduna states”, funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Eni explained that the project, which commenced in September 2025 and will run until March 2028, targets a total of 100,000 farmers across both states, with a focus on 50 per cent women’s participation. 

The training equipped 44 field agents from eight local government areas with skills in climate intelligence and improved agronomy to address challenges such as poor seed access, weak post-harvest handling, and inadequate market data.

“To address these challenges, the project seeks to improve productivity by at least 30 per cent, unlock high-value markets through strengthened cooperatives, and enhance coordination among value chain actors,” Eni said. 

He added that the trained agents would now spearhead community-level training and manage demonstration plots to show farmers practical ways to improve yields.

A key highlight of the event featured technical sessions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on interpreting seasonal rainfall predictions. 

This ensures that farmers can align their planting schedules with weather advisories to reduce production risks. 

The project also promotes contract farming and digital tools for reporting, aimed at making smallholder farmers more competitive in the national market.

Source: NAN