Soil Values, CDA Train Farmers on Soil Fertility in Kano and Jigawa

News in Brief:

-Soil Values and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) of Bayero University Kano conducted Field Days on Integrated Soil Fertility Management for smallholder farmers in Kano and Jigawa.

-The training aims to restore degraded soils, improve cowpea yields, and strengthen food security while promoting women and youth participation in agriculture.

Soil Values, together with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University Kano, organised Field Days on Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) to train smallholder farmers in Kano and Jigawa States. The initiative focused on restoring soil fertility and enhancing cowpea production, particularly in areas where soil nutrients were declining.

At a demonstration farm in Takai, Kano, four plots were established to compare traditional practices, inorganic fertilisers, organic fertilisers, and the ISFM approach. Farmers could directly observe the effects of each method on soil health and crop performance, providing practical lessons in nutrient management and composting techniques.

“This training has changed the way I produce cowpea. Learning how to make compost, recycle residues, and adjust nutrient levels has turned the ISFM plot into an open-air classroom,” said farmer A. Ahmad.

Women Farmers Gain Confidence and Knowledge

The Field Days highlighted the critical role of women in soil management. Rayya Ibrahim Abdullahi, a participant, noted that the training gave her confidence to manage soil effectively and shared plans to train other women in her group.

Dr Bassam Abdulrahman, representing CDA’s Director of Research, described the Field Days as part of the ten-year Soil Values programme funded by the Dutch government. The initiative aims to enhance land use and soil fertility management in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States.

Programme Structure and Partners

The Soil Values project is implemented by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). It also includes five scientific partners: IITA, AGRA, ICRAF, ISRIC, and IWMI. The programme addresses soil fertility, agroecology, inclusive markets, and enabling environments through actions such as clustering, integration, and knowledge sharing.

Regional Impact and Targets

The initiative is part of a broader Sahel-wide effort to restore two million hectares of degraded land, including 800,000 hectares in Nigeria, benefiting an estimated 600,000 smallholder farmers. With a total budget of €100 million, the programme aims to strengthen resilience, improve food security, and support women and youth engagement in agriculture.

The Soil Values project seeks to close yield gaps, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable agricultural practices across northern Nigeria. It is combining practical training with innovative soil management techniques. The approach provides farmers with the tools to restore soil health and secure long-term crop yields.