By Abdullahi Lukman
A total of 5,119 rice farmers in Nasarawa State have successfully adopted climate-smart technologies and improved agronomic practices, leading to a significant boost in crop yields.
This intervention, led by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), has had a transformative impact on farmers in the region.
During the 2025 Mega Field Day event held in Assakio and Yalwata Wuji communities in Lafia Local Government Area, local farmers shared their success stories, highlighting the benefits of the new farming techniques introduced by the SAA team and their partners.
The training, which included better methods for planting rice, has helped reduce seed wastage and increased yields substantially.
One of the farmers, Abdullahi Ibrahim from Yalwata Wuji, explained how the introduction of rice planting in rolls, rather than the traditional broadcast method, has helped him save on seed costs and boost his harvest.
“I now use just 16 kilograms of rice seed compared to a basin with the old method, and my harvest has more than doubled,” Ibrahim said.
Dauda Agum, another farmer in the same community, echoed Ibrahim’s sentiments. After using the new method, Agum reported a sharp increase in rice yields, from 18 bags per hectare to over 30 bags. “Sasakawa’s intervention has truly transformed my farming experience,” Agum stated.
The project, funded by the Japanese Government’s Policy and Human Resource Development Grant (PHRDG) through the African Development Bank, focuses on mitigating climate change impacts and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
It has been particularly effective in Lafia, Doma, and Akwanga local government areas, where more than 5,000 farmers have directly benefited, with plans to reach an additional 100,000 farmers indirectly.
Alhaji Idris Garko, the project facilitator for SAA in Nasarawa, explained that the initiative is part of a three-year project aimed at enhancing food security, agricultural productivity, and household income.
Farmers have been trained in climate-smart techniques such as the production of biochar—a compost made from rice husks that improves soil texture and water retention.
They have also been introduced to Urea Super Granules (USG) fertilizer, which is buried in the soil to gradually dissolve and nourish crops, reducing nitrogen loss and minimizing environmental impact.
Garko emphasized that the adoption of these practices is critical in addressing climate change, as traditional farming methods often contribute to environmental degradation. By using USG fertilizers, farmers help reduce harmful emissions that contribute to global warming.
Mr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of SAA, represented by Dr. Bello Shehu, the NGO’s Technical Coordinator for Regenerative Agriculture, praised the success of the project. He assured the farmers that SAA would continue to support their efforts to improve their livelihoods and encouraged them to share their new knowledge with fellow farmers.
The event was attended by various partners, including Dr. Razack Adeoti from the Technologies for Africa Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), Mr. Oyelude Joseph from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and Umar Nuhu from the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), all of whom commended the positive impact of the intervention.
The SAA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting climate-smart farming practices aims to improve both food security and the livelihoods of farmers in Nasarawa and beyond.
Nan