AGRA Partnership Expands Community Advisory Services for Farmers in Kaduna

News in Brief:

-AGRA, Extension Africa, and NAERLS are working together in Nigeria to improve agricultural extension services by training Community-Based Advisors to support farmers with inputs, finance, and market access.

-A pilot initiative in Kaduna has trained 926 advisors and shows how community-led, tech-enabled extension can boost productivity, create rural jobs, and strengthen food systems.

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has partnered with Extension Africa and National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) to strengthen agricultural advisory services in Nigeria through a community-based extension model aimed at improving farmer productivity and rural livelihoods.

The initiative, currently being implemented in Kaduna State, has already trained 926 Community-Based Advisors across all 18 local government areas of the state. The trained advisors are helping farmers access extension services, quality farm inputs, financing opportunities, and market linkages.

Community Advisors Supporting Farmers at Grassroots Level

According to AGRA, the initiative combines digital innovation with trusted community-based support systems to improve last-mile agricultural service delivery. The model is also creating employment opportunities for rural youth and women who serve as agripreneurs within their communities.

The organisation said the Kaduna experience demonstrates how agricultural extension services can evolve from a public-sector challenge into a scalable and market-driven business opportunity capable of driving food systems transformation across Africa.

NAERLS, one of the project partners, is responsible for disseminating proven agricultural technologies and advancing agricultural extension services in Nigeria. The institution has continued to support farmers with improved farming practices, agronomic information and access to advisory services nationwide.

Broader Push to Improve Productivity and Food Security

The Kaduna initiative aligns with AGRA’s broader efforts to improve agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria. In recent months, the organisation has supported projects focused on improving farmers’ access to inputs, finance and post-harvest technologies.

In April, AGRA-backed programmes in Niger and Kaduna states trained extension agents and Community-Based Advisors to support maize and soybean farmers with modern agronomic practices, post-harvest management and market access. The initiative is expected to benefit about 100,000 farmers, with strong participation from women and youth.

Earlier this year, AGRA also partnered with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to scale post-harvest technologies aimed at reducing Nigeria’s estimated ₦3.5 trillion annual agricultural losses.

The organisation said strengthening extension systems, improving access to finance and supporting post-harvest management remain critical to achieving sustainable food security and inclusive agricultural growth across Nigeria.