By Faridat Salifu
The Heineken Africa Foundation has launched a N4 billion initiative to train 14,000 smallholder farmers in climate-smart and regenerative agriculture across seven local government areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State.
The programme, titled “Empowerment of Smallholder Farmers to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture,” was unveiled on Thursday in Bauchi by Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs at Nigerian Breweries PLC.
Aniukwu said the initiative is part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to supporting sustainable development in Africa, building on past investments in healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
He described Bauchi State as a strategic location for the intervention due to its resourceful smallholder farmers who play a crucial role in ensuring food security for the nation.
Aniukwu said the programme is designed to empower farmers, particularly women and young people, by improving their skills, providing access to quality inputs, strengthening market linkages, and enhancing opportunities along the agricultural value chain.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions, Dr Isaiah Gabriel, said the farmers would receive practical training through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots.
He noted that women represent 60 percent of the beneficiaries, while youth account for 40 percent.
Gabriel said the training will cover regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices, soil and water conservation, pest and disease management, crop diversification, and post-harvest handling techniques.
He added that the initiative promotes sustainable farming that restores soil fertility, optimises water usage, and encourages the use of drought-tolerant crop varieties.
Gabriel said the programme aims to boost farmers’ income by at least 30 percent and will be implemented in Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa LGAs.
He commended the Bauchi State Government for its support and for creating an enabling environment for the project.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Iliyasu Gital, described the intervention as transformative and pledged the state’s full cooperation for its successful implementation.
Farmers interviewed by Arewa PUNCH said the programme would improve their farming methods and enhance food security.
Maimunatu Sani, a beneficiary from Kano State, said she had learned to recycle farm residues into organic fertiliser and encouraged Bauchi farmers to adopt the new techniques.
Another Kano-based farmer, Mama Mairam, said the introduction of innovative practices had reduced crop losses and increased productivity per hectare.
