300,000 smallholder farmers adopt modern techniques to boost crop production

A transformative initiative in Niger State has led to the adoption of modern agricultural techniques by 300,000 smallholder farmers, significantly enhancing crop yields. The Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria and the Agra-Niger State Consortium Project have collaborated to improve farmers’ resilience and productivity in essential crops such as rice, maize, soybeans, cowpea, and onion.
Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, reported remarkable progress, with farmers experiencing substantial increases in production per hectare across various value chains. He noted that farmers are now utilizing high-quality seeds, optimizing spacing, and applying fertilizers effectively, resulting in higher yields and enhanced income.
Dr. Dogara Danbaba, Zonal Coordinator of the Agra Consortium Project, shared specific yield improvements: rice production has surged from 2-3 tons per hectare to 6.5-7 tons, and maize output has increased from 2 tons to 3-3.5 tons per hectare. Local farmers are reaping the benefits; Abdullahi Musa, a maize farmer, reported a bumper harvest attributed to modern spacing and fertilizer techniques.
The village Head of Kampala, Alhaji Adamu Zakari, expressed gratitude to both organizations for facilitating connections between smallholder farmers and financial institutions, providing essential support to enhance agricultural productivity.
Source: Tribune

Key Takeaways for Agri-food Stakeholders:
Significant Adoption of Modern Techniques: The initiative demonstrates a successful model for engaging smallholder farmers in adopting modern agricultural practices, which can lead to increased productivity and income.
Collaboration between Organizations: The partnership between Sasakawa Africa Association and the Agra-Niger State Consortium illustrates the importance of collaboration in implementing effective agricultural interventions. Such partnerships can leverage resources and expertise to maximize impact.
Impressive Yield Increases: The reported increases in yields—such as rice from 2-3 tons to 6.5-7 tons per hectare—highlight the effectiveness of modern practices in enhancing food production, which is crucial for food security.
Empowering Local Farmers: Testimonials from farmers like Abdullahi Musa emphasize the real-world benefits of modern techniques. Sharing success stories can motivate other farmers to adopt similar practices, leading to widespread agricultural improvements.
Linking Farmers to Financial Support: The initiative’s success is further bolstered by efforts to connect farmers to financial institutions, enabling them to invest in necessary inputs and sustain productivity gains.

Recommendations for Agri-food Stakeholders:
Support Initiatives for Technology Adoption: Stakeholders should invest in programs that promote the adoption of modern agricultural techniques among smallholder farmers to drive productivity and economic growth.
Encourage Partnerships: Collaboration between NGOs, government, and financial institutions should be fostered to provide comprehensive support for farmers, including training, funding, and access to modern technologies.
Highlight Success Stories: Sharing testimonials and case studies from successful farmers can inspire others in the community to adopt modern practices, creating a ripple effect of increased productivity.
Strengthen Financial Linkages: Efforts to link farmers to financial services must continue, ensuring they have access to capital for inputs and can sustain their productivity improvements overtime.