One Acre Fund Farmers Earn ₦300,000 More Per Hectare, Organisation Says

News in Brief:

— One Acre Fund claims its Nigerian farmers earn more than ₦300,000 per hectare than the national average due to improved seeds and technical support.

— Its beneficiaries in Niger State have grown from 150 in 2018 to more than 40,000 in 2026, with over 95 per cent reportedly repaying their input credit.

According to One Acre Fund Nigeria, its farmers earn more than ₦300,000 per hectare above the national average. The organisation’s credit lead, Alhaji Yusuf Kasala, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists in Fisa village, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

Kasala said the organisation provides farmers with agricultural inputs, including fertiliser and improved seeds, alongside cash support through interest-free credit facilities.

Beneficiaries Exceed 40,000 in Niger State

The company's executive revealed that the number of farmers benefiting from the programme in Niger State increased from 150 in 2018 to more than 40,000 in 2026. According to him, the state’s farmers have maintained a credit repayment rate of more than 95 per cent, encouraging the organisation to expand beyond Bosso and Paikoro, where it began operations.

Kasala explained that farmers repay the credit in instalments to make the process more manageable. He added that the organisation had adjusted its group liability policy to prevent members from being penalised for another farmer’s default. Under the revised arrangement, farmers who default are dropped, while other members of their groups can continue accessing support.

Traditional Ruler Seeks Fairer Credit Rules

The traditional ruler of Bosso, Alhaji Mohammed Dada, commended the organisation for what he described as improvements in farmers’ harvests and living standards. However, he urged One Acre Fund to ease restrictions under its group repayment system, arguing that penalties should apply to defaulters rather than other members.