Bauchi: The International Fertiliser Development Corporation (IFDC) has commenced a training initiative for 50 extension agents and lead farmers in Bauchi State, focusing on soil restoration, conservation techniques, and integrated soil fertility management. This two-day training session is part of the IFDC Soil Values Programme, aimed at enhancing soil fertility and rejuvenating degraded lands in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Medina Ayuba-Fagbemi, the Country Coordinator for the Soil Values Programme in Nigeria, highlighted the importance of this training session in addressing the climatic and socio-economic challenges faced by Sahelian countries, including recurrent droughts and desertification. The programme, which previously held similar training in Kano and Jigawa, is structured around three intervention pathways and five intervention areas, intending to improve the productivity of two million hectares of agricultural land and support 1.5 million farmers, particularly women and youth.
Medina detailed that the training is divided into two phases, with 30 extension agents participating in the first phase and 20 in the second. The trainees will learn integrated soil fertility and soil health management techniques to boost crop yields and enhance food security. The knowledge gained is expected to be disseminated to approximately 20,000 smallholder farmers across various local government areas in Bauchi.
According to Medina, the programme, in collaboration with multiple partners, is enhancing the capacity of extension workers in Integrated Soil Fertility Management and Soil Health Management technologies. She emphasized that this effort is part of a 10-year initiative funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through its Directorate-General for International Cooperation.
Joshua Arogunyo, MELS Coordinator for the Soil Values Programme, explained the focus on improving farmer skills in integrated soil health management and soil water conservation to promote agro-ecological practices. He noted that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with core partners such as SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Wageningen University and Research, alongside five knowledge partners.
Arogunyo mentioned that the programme, with a budget of £100 million, covers Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aiming to restore two million hectares of degraded land in the Sahel. In Nigeria, the goal is to restore 800,000 hectares, directly benefiting 600,000 smallholder farmers. He outlined the programme’s objectives to reduce yield gaps, improve soil fertility, and ensure long-term productivity and food security.
The programme has started in Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States, with plans for expansion to other northern Nigerian states. Arogunyo expressed hope that the initiative will significantly advance land restoration, increase farmer incomes, and raise awareness about sustainable soil health management.
Participants like Aliyu Safiyanu and Helen Ciroma praised the initiative, noting that the new skills and techniques would empower them to promote Good Agricultural Practices and improve soil fertility, particularly among women farmers in Bauchi State.
