By Abbas Nazil
The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) has unveiled a three-year programme designed to strengthen climate resilience and promote regenerative agriculture among smallholder farmers in Bauchi North Senatorial District.
The initiative, launched in partnership with the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF), is titled *Empowerment of Smallholders to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture (ESTRRA)*.
It is set to directly benefit 14,000 smallholder farmers across seven Local Government Areas — Katagum, Giade, Shira, Gamawa, Itas-Gadau, Jama’are, and Zaki.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Executive Director of FSSS, Mr. Isaiah Gabriel, described the programme as a significant milestone in empowering farmers to adapt to the challenges of climate change and transition toward more sustainable agricultural practices.
According to Gabriel, the ESTRRA project aims to enhance inclusive growth by focusing on gender and youth participation, with 60 per cent of the direct beneficiaries being women and 30 per cent youth.
He added that the project is expected to impact over 70,000 indirect beneficiaries through community-led interventions that improve livelihoods and food systems.
Under the ESTRRA initiative, more than 20,000 hectares of degraded land will be reclaimed from desertification using sustainable restoration techniques such as half-moon water harvesting systems and reforestation with fruit-bearing trees.
Gabriel explained that the project would promote mixed farming systems to boost household nutrition, create additional income opportunities through off-season farming, and improve farmers’ access to markets through strengthened value chains.
He noted that through capacity building and knowledge sharing, smallholder farmers will gain the skills and resources required to cope with changing climatic conditions while ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods across Northern Bauchi.
“This initiative brings us closer to our vision of a Nigeria where smallholder farming drives inclusive growth and prosperity,” Gabriel said.
He emphasised that the success of ESTRRA demonstrates the power of partnerships in achieving sustainable rural development.
In his remarks, the General Manager of Heineken Africa Foundation, Mr. Edwin Moerkerk, reaffirmed HAF’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the resilience of farming communities in Africa.
Moerkerk stated that the collaboration with FSSS reflects a shared vision to connect farmers with essential resources, training, and networks that will enable them to thrive sustainably.
He highlighted that the goal is to ensure African smallholder farmers can prosper while contributing to a sustainable global food system.
According to him, the project will be implemented through the *Farmers’ Hub Model*, an approach that provides farmers with access to high-quality inputs, training, and market opportunities.
The model also encourages environmentally friendly and inclusive agricultural practices.
Moerkerk further explained that the project activities will include farmer training on regenerative techniques, soil restoration demonstrations, and group strengthening for women and youth.
Additionally, it will support value chain development initiatives aimed at improving income and market access for smallholder farmers.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the project will not only restore degraded lands but also transform farming systems in Bauchi State by making them more resilient, inclusive, and profitable.
They reaffirmed that the ESTRRA project represents a crucial step toward building climate-smart communities capable of sustaining Nigeria’s food security and driving inclusive economic growth.