Sasakawa, Partners Target 100,000 Farmers with Input Access Project

News in brief:

-Sasakawa Africa Association is working with partners to improve input access and market linkages for 100,000 maize and soybean farmers.

-The initiative focuses on connecting farmers with agro-dealers, financial institutions and extension services ahead of the farming season.

The Sasakawa Africa Association, in collaboration with development partners, has engaged key stakeholders to strengthen linkages among farmers, input suppliers and financial institutions ahead of the 2026 farming season.

The engagement, held in Minna, forms part of a maize and soybean farming system project funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa across Niger State and Kaduna State.

Project Aims to Improve Input Access

Project Coordinator, Isaac Eni, said the initiative titled Enhancing the Productivity and Competitiveness of Smallholder Farmers in the Maize-Soybean Farming System in Nigeria is designed to improve farmers’ access to essential inputs and services.

According to him, the forum brought together farmer groups, agro-dealers, seed companies, extension agents, financial institutions and other service providers.

He explained that the platform enabled participants to interact, negotiate and establish business relationships ahead of the rainy season.

“With farmers preparing for the season, this session is designed to connect them directly with input suppliers and financial institutions for timely access to quality inputs and services,” Eni said.

Initiative Targets 100,000 Farmers

Eni disclosed that the project is expected to benefit about 100,000 farmers.

He added that the initiative prioritises inclusion, with women expected to account for 50 per cent of participants, youth 40 per cent and persons with disabilities five per cent.

The project will be implemented across eight local government areas in Niger State, including Bosso, Lavun, Lapai, Paikoro, Gurara, Bida, Wushishi and Agaie.

Capacity Building for Farmers and Agro-Dealers

According to the coordinator, extension agents and Community-Based Advisors have been trained to support farmers with improved agronomic practices, access to quality inputs, harvesting techniques, storage solutions and market linkages.

Agro-dealers and input suppliers have also undergone training on improved seed varieties, fertiliser application and the safe use of agrochemicals.

Farmers participating in the programme were additionally trained on modern farming practices, post-harvest management and agribusiness enterprise development.

Government Moves Against Fake Agrochemicals

Speaking at the engagement, the Director of Produce and Pest Control at the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Adamu Yahaya, raised concerns about the prevalence of counterfeit agrochemicals in the state.

Yahaya said the ministry had established a task force to monitor agrochemical dealers and regulate their activities.

He revealed that fake agrochemicals worth about N100 million had been seized and destroyed, while offenders were prosecuted.

Farmers Welcome Initiative

Some farmers who participated in the engagement described the initiative as timely.

A farmer from Bosso Local Government Area, Abubakar Kolo, said the programme had improved his understanding of how to identify genuine farm inputs.

Similarly, a Community-Based Advisor, Blessing Joy, noted that the rising cost of fertilisers and limited access to quality inputs remain major challenges affecting smallholder farmers.