Sasakawa Africa distributes farm inputs to 9,000 farmers in Kano, Jigawa, Kwara, 3 other states

By Muhammed Yakubu On Jul 1, 2025

Sasakawa Africa Association, distribution, farm inputs ,farmers ,Kano, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, — Sasakawa Africa distributes farm inputs to 9,000 farmers in Kano, Jigawa, Kwara, 3 other states

The Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria (SAA Nigeria), with funding support from The Nippon Foundation (TNF), has begun the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in six states (Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kwara states), targeting up to 9,000 smallholder farmers.

SolaceBase reports that the exercise is part of the 2025 Wet Season farming intervention launched to improve food security, increase household incomes, and promote climate-smart farming practices among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. About 45,000 smallholder farmers will benefit indirectly from the initiative. Certified seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals were among the inputs being distributed.

A statement issued by Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria Communication Officer, Moses Nongoatse over the weekend said prior to the distribution, SAA Nigeria conducted a Preseason Training-of-Trainers (ToT) for a total of 116 participants in the intervention states, equipping frontline extension agents with the technical skills needed to cascade regenerative agriculture and other good agronomic practices to farmers.

‘’As the 2025 wet season farming begins, SAA is setting up 360 community demonstration plots in 90 rural communities across the 6 states,’’ the statement said.

‘’The plots are Farmer Learning Platforms (FLPs) showcase regenerative agriculture practices, including intercropping, relay cropping, Urea Deep Placement (UDP), mulching, integrated pest and weed management, soil fertility strategies, and other good agronomic practices tailored to local agroecological contexts.

‘’The demonstrations serve as living classrooms, reinforcing SAA’s broader commitment to sustainable agricultural intensification.

“For more than 30 years, we have worked side by side with Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, delivering practical, field-tested innovations,” Dr. Godwin Atser, the Country Director of SAA Nigeria, said, while reflecting on the program’s impact over the decades. “Our interventions have consistently improved yields, from 1.9 MT/ha to 5.5 MT/ha in maize and from 1.8 MT/ha to 6 MT/ha in rice production. In the case of soybean and cowpea, yields have improved from 0.6 MT/ha to 2.5 MT/ha. This is a result of blending improved inputs with hands-on extension and community-based learning.”

According to the statement, expressing his delight at the intended benefits of the exercise to farmers and the productive partnership his state has enjoyed with SAA Nigeria, the Commissioner for Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives in Gombe State, Dr. Barnabas Malle, said: “SAA has consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment to improving farmers’ livelihoods in our state.

Their interventions, especially in training, extension support, and timely input delivery, have contributed meaningfully to nutrition, food security and economic development in our rural communities.”

Speaking after the official flag-off ceremony in Kano, Dr. Farouk Kurawa, Managing Director of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), represented by the SAA Kano state coordinator, Mr Kassim Safiyyanu, described SAA as a dependable and visionary development partner. “Sasakawa’s approach is timely, practical, and results-driven.

Early input distribution sets the tone for a productive season and motivates our farmers to adopt early planting, which is critical for optimal yields,” he said.

While appealing to field teams to religiously adhere to the organization’s protocols for demonstration plot establishment, Dr. Bello Shehu, Technical Coordinator for Regenerative Agriculture at SAA Nigeria, encouraged farmers to leverage SAA’s extension network to deepen their understanding of regenerative agriculture and build resilience to climate shocks.

“This input distribution is not just about seeds and fertilizers; it is a clear affirmation of SAA’s leadership in the sector,” said Mrs. Salome Sabo, SAA State Coordinator in Nasarawa state, while acknowledging the timeliness and relevance of the activity. “The early support enables our farmers to plan better and embrace innovations that significantly improve productivity and livelihoods,” she added.

As the 2025 wet season progresses, SAA Nigeria is intensifying the implementation of its wet season program by establishing 360 community demonstration plots across 90 rural communities while strengthening partnerships with government institutions, development partners, and local farming groups. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote regenerative agriculture, good agronomic practices, and climate-smart innovations at the grassroots level.

Through its inclusive, science-based approach, anchored in practical field demonstrations, capacity building, and technology transfer. SAA is not only improving yields but also driving systemic change in Nigeria’s food systems. The 2025 wet season program is thus more than a seasonal intervention; it is a catalyst for transforming smallholder agriculture into a resilient, sustainable engine of national food security and rural prosperity