Over 1,000 units of agro-inputs, including bags of fertilisers and cartons of herbicides and other chemicals, worth millions of Naira have been distributed to Eleven Farmers’ Hubs across Seven Local Government Areas in Bauchi State.
The distribution was done by the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) and the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation (HAF) under the Empowerment of Smallholders to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture (ESTRRA) Project as part of
improved access to agricultural inputs and quality seeds following a series of interventions.
The Project also facilitated training of Twenty-eight representatives from Seven Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) on improved seed production technologies.
Smallholder farmers in Northern Bauchi.
The interventions are part of efforts to address two major constraints limiting smallholder farmers’ productivity in Northern Bauchi: limited access to quality agricultural inputs and dependence on informal seed sources.
The agro-input distribution exercise reached Farmers’ Hubs in Gambaki, Bulkachuwa, Chibiyayi, Diga, Dogon-Jeji, Faggo, and Kurba communities across Katagum, Zaki, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Shira, and Jama’are Local Government Areas.
The supplies included fertilisers, herbicides, seed treatment products, crop protection chemicals, and knapsack sprayers to support farmers with crop establishment, weed control, nutrient management, and pest protection during the 2026 farming season.
Speaking on the intervention, Mohammed Dahiru Auwal, Manager of the Bulkachuwa Farmers’ Hub in Katagum Local Government Area, said the support would reduce the challenges farmers face in accessing essential inputs.
“Before now, farmers in this community had to travel long distances to buy quality fertilisers, chemicals, and other farm inputs. With the Farmers’ Hub now stocked with these products, farmers can access what they need closer to their farms and at the right time,” he said.
He added that the availability of quality inputs within the community would help farmers improve their production outcomes.
According to him, “This support will make farming easier for many farmers because they can get quality inputs without spending extra money on transportation. We are grateful for the support and will ensure the hub continues to serve farmers effectively.”
Beyond improving input access, FSSS and HAF are also strengthening local seed production systems through targeted capacity building for community organisations.
The Foundation organised a two-day seed production training, held in Azare, which brought together representatives from Seven CBOs across the ESTRRA Project areas with over 50% of participants being women.
The participants were trained on seed production techniques for rice, millet, sorghum, groundnut, and cowpea, including seed quality management, varietal purity, field inspection, and certification requirements.
The training followed findings from the project’s 2026 baseline assessment, which revealed that 87% of seeds used by farmers in Northern Bauchi come from farmer-saved or local sources, while only 12% are obtained from improved or certified sources.
To help address this gap, each participating CBO received foundation seeds, fertilisers, and crop protection products to establish community seed multiplication fields.
The Seven organisations are expected to establish at least three hectares of seed multiplication fields each, creating a combined minimum of 21 hectares of community seed production fields across the project area.
For Abigail Kwila, a participant from one of the Katagum LGA beneficiary CBOs, the training provided practical knowledge that would change how farmers access quality seeds in her community.
“Before this training, many of us did not fully understand the requirements for producing quality seed. We have learned about proper seed production practices, certification requirements, and how to manage seed production as a business,” She said.
According to her, “With the foundation seeds and inputs provided, we are confident that we can establish successful seed multiplication fields and make quality seeds more available to farmers in our community.”
The intervention also included business management training for Farmers’ Hub Managers, covering record keeping, stock management, pricing, costing, and accountability to strengthen the sustainability of the hubs.
According to FSSS, the combined investment in agricultural inputs, seed systems, and local capacity development reflects the organisation’s commitment to building resilient farming communities.
Dr Abubakar Hassan Inuwa, Senior Agronomist at FSSS, said the project was designed to create lasting solutions beyond seasonal support.
He stressed that, “Our goal is not simply to distribute seeds but to build the capacity of communities to become seed producers themselves. By equipping these organisations with both technical knowledge and production resources, we are laying the foundation for stronger local seed systems that can continue serving farmers long after the project cycle.”
The ESTRRA Project, funded by the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, is focused on empowering smallholder farmers in Northern Bauchi through regenerative agriculture, improved access to inputs, stronger local institutions, and climate-resilient farming practices.
With the establishment of functional Farmers’ Hubs and community-led seed production systems, the project aims to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen livelihoods for thousands of smallholder farmers across Bauchi North.
