The Savanna Institute for Sustainable Development (SISDev) in collaboration with Soil Values has trained 25 farmers in Bauchi State on innovative and climate-smart farming techniques aimed at improving soil health and food security.
The training, held in Ningi Local Government Area, was part of a wider initiative to build the capacity of smallholder farmers across the state in areas such as soil restoration, conservation practices, integrated soil fertility, and pest management.
Supported by the Soil Value project, funded by the International Fertiliser Development Corporation (IFDC), the programme seeks to rehabilitate degraded farmlands and enhance productivity in the face of growing climate and socio-economic challenges across the Sahel region.
Mr. Isiaka Ibrahim, Project Team Lead at SISDev, explained during a field demonstration that 50 extension agents and lead farmers had already been trained in Bauchi. These lead farmers are now cascading the knowledge and techniques to others within their local communities.
“We are here to evaluate the cascade training and ensure that extension agents can effectively transfer what they learned. Their performance so far has been impressive,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that the initiative empowers farmers with practical skills in composting, water conservation, organic pest control using neem seeds, and other sustainable practices that improve yields while protecting the environment.
“With fertiliser costs rising, composting offers farmers an affordable, eco-friendly solution that also serves as an income source,” he added, praising the technical and financial collaboration between SISDev and Soil Values.
Beneficiaries of the training expressed appreciation, saying the knowledge gained has already improved their farming methods.
One participant, Mainuna Hassan, said she learned how to convert crop residues into organic fertiliser, while another, Mama Mairam, reported that new soil and moisture management techniques had boosted her harvests.
Similarly, farmer Hashim Waziri said the water conservation lessons taught during the programme had helped local growers reduce losses and improve productivity, especially during dry seasons.
The participants pledged to extend the knowledge gained to other farmers in their communities, fostering a ripple effect of sustainable agricultural practices across Bauchi State.