The Heineken Africa Foundation, in conjunction with Nigerian Breweries Plc, has pledged ₦4 billion to provide comprehensive training in smart and regenerative agriculture for 14,000 smallholder farmers in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The initiative, spanning seven local government areas, will be implemented over the next three years.
Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs at Nigerian Breweries Plc, announced the program in Bauchi during the launch of “Empowerment of Smallholder Farmers to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture.”
Aniukwu emphasized that this investment builds upon the Foundation’s established commitment to healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives across Africa.
“Our decision to invest in Bauchi is both deliberate and strategic,” Aniukwu stated. “Bauchi is home to resilient, resourceful, and industrious smallholder farmers whose contributions are essential to Nigeria’s food security.”
The project’s core objective is to bolster the livelihoods of farmers, with a particular focus on women and young people. This will be achieved by equipping them with the skills and resources necessary to generate sustainable income. The program will provide access to training, high-quality inputs, improved market connections, and opportunities throughout the agricultural value chain.
Dr. Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions, elaborated on the training methodology. Beneficiaries will participate in Farmer Field Schools and gain practical experience through demonstration plots.
Key program details include:
- Beneficiary Demographics: 60% of the 14,000 beneficiaries will be women, and 40% will be youth.
Training Curriculum: The training program will cover a wide range of essential topics, including:
- Regenerative and climate-smart agriculture techniques
- Soil and water conservation methods
- Effective pest and disease management strategies
- Crop diversification practices
- Proper post-harvest handling procedures
Resource Management: The project actively supports the restoration and protection of natural resources by promoting regenerative farming practices. These practices focus on rebuilding soil fertility, implementing efficient water management strategies, and adopting drought-tolerant crop varieties.
The expected outcome of the program is a minimum 30% increase in farmers’ income. The initiative will be implemented across the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):
Katagum
- Shira
- Jama’are
- Giade
- Itas-Gadau
- Zaki
- Gamawa
Dr. Gabriel expressed his gratitude to the Bauchi State Government for its support and for creating an enabling environment for the program.
Iliyasu Gital, the Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture, commended the Foundation for selecting Bauchi as the location for this important intervention and pledged the full support of the state government.
Farmers who will benefit from the program have expressed their appreciation, highlighting the potential for the initiative to transform farming practices and significantly improve food security in the region.
Maimunatu Sani, a farmer from Kano State, shared her experience, noting that she learned how to recycle farm residues to produce organic fertilizer. She encouraged farmers in Bauchi State to fully embrace the program and its innovative techniques.
Mama Mairam, also a farmer from Kano, stated that the introduction of new farming techniques had led to a reduction in waste and an increase in yields per hectare, demonstrating the tangible benefits of the program’s approach.
