No fewer than 14,000 farmers in Bauchi State are set to benefit from a three-year climate-resilient agriculture programme aimed at boosting productivity and enhancing food security.
The initiative, led by the Heineken Africa Foundation through Nigerian Breweries Plc, involves an investment of about N4 billion and will cover seven local government areas: Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa.
Mr Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs at Nigerian Breweries, said the programme is designed to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, through training, access to quality inputs, market linkages, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), said farmers will be trained through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots on regenerative farming, pest and disease management, crop diversification, post-harvest handling, and soil and water conservation.
“The project promotes regenerative agriculture to rebuild soil fertility, improve water management, and introduce drought-tolerant crops, aiming to increase farmers’ incomes by at least 30 percent,” Gabriel said.
Bauchi Commissioner for Agriculture, Iliyasu Gital, commended the initiative and assured government support for its successful implementation.