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

A groundbreaking initiative has transformed the agricultural landscape in Niger State, with 300,000 smallholder farmers adopting modern techniques to increase crop yields.

The Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria and the Agra-Niger State Consortium Project have joined forces to enhance farmers’ resilience and productivity in key crops such as rice, maize, soybeans, cowpea, and onion.

According to Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, the project has achieved impressive results, with farmers’ production per hectare increasing significantly across all value chains.

“Farmers are now using good quality seeds, proper spacing, and effective fertilizer application, resulting in higher yields and increased income,” Dr Atser said.

Zonal Coordinator of Agra Consortium Project, Dr Dogara Danbaba, noted that rice yields have increased from 2-3 tons per hectare to 6.5-7 tons, while maize output has risen from 2 tons to 3-3.5 tons per hectare.

Local farmers have also reported significant improvements. “Using modern spacing and fertilizer application techniques, I’ve recorded a bumper harvest,” said Abdullahi Musa, a maize farmer.

The village Head of Kampala, Alhaji Adamu Zakari, expressed gratitude to Sasakawa and Agra for linking smallholder farmers to financial institutions and providing critical support.