As part of efforts to deepen food security and inclusivity in Nigeria’s agri-food system, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched a training initiative focused on sack farming and home gardening targeted at women farmers and persons with special needs in the North Central Zone.
The one-day workshop, held in Minna, Niger State, brought together smallholder women farmers and vulnerable groups from across the zone, equipping them with practical skills to grow food within limited spaces, especially in urban and peri-urban areas.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, the Zonal Director for the North Central Zone, Mr. Abdul Agbaji, highlighted the central role of women and the need for inclusive participation in achieving national food security. “Women are the backbone of our agricultural sector,” he noted, adding that their involvement is vital to sustainable outcomes.
The initiative covered agroecological practices such as sack farming, organic manure usage, and financial literacy, enabling participants to adopt low-cost, high-efficiency food production methods at home. According to the Director of Special Duties at the Ministry, Mrs. Kachallah Damaturu, the programme also incorporates farmer field schools and promotes gender-sensitive and disability-friendly learning models.
Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity, with some noting how these practices have already helped sustain their families. Mrs. Esther Andrew from Nasarawa, a person with special needs, noted that her home farming activities had not only fed her household but also generated income. Similarly, Mrs. Comfort Samuel from Niger State affirmed her intention to scale up food production using sack farming techniques.
The ministry affirmed its commitment to empowering marginalised groups and promoting inclusive agriculture as a strategic pillar for food security and resilience. Source: Tribune Online
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The Federal Ministry’s push toward sack farming and home gardening reflects an adaptive and grassroots-driven model of food production that deserves wider policy and private-sector support.
Key Strategic Considerations:
Urban Agriculture Integration:
With increasing urban migration and land constraints, sack farming offers a scalable model for feeding households and generating micro-income. Agri-tech firms, cooperatives, and donor agencies can partner to replicate this training across urban slums and peri-urban areas.
Gender and Disability Inclusion as Economic Drivers:
Women and persons with disabilities represent an untapped agri-labour force. This initiative rightly recognises them as contributors to national food output, not just aid recipients. Stakeholders should integrate such inclusive models into value chain development and agri-enterprise funding.
Low-Cost Innovation and Agroecology:
By promoting organic manure, sack gardening, and farmer field schools, the programme aligns with climate-smart agriculture goals. Development partners and extension systems can scale this innovation using mobile learning platforms and seed-kit support.
Policy Implications:
States and local governments could embed such trainings within Social Investment Programmes or Youth/Women Empowerment Funds. Additionally, incentivising cooperatives that embrace these models can accelerate rural nutrition and livelihood outcomes.
Next Steps for Stakeholders:
NGOs and Agri Startups: Develop urban gardening starter kits or offer B2C garden consultancy services.
Private Sector: Invest in small-scale irrigation tools and biodegradable grow bags.
State Ministries of Agriculture: Replicate this model with localized inputs and train-the-trainer sessions for broader reach.
Off-takers: Begin tracking micro-producers within urban zones as an emerging supply chain.
Conclusion
This initiative is more than a workshop—it is a blueprint for inclusive, decentralized food production in a country facing rising food inflation and urban vulnerability. By recognising the critical roles of women and people with disabilities, Nigeria takes a step toward a more just and resilient food system.
