The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) in partnership with AGRA has commenced mobilisation and sensitisation of smallholder farmers in Kaduna and Niger states to boost maize and soybean production.

The SAA Consultant, Prof. Isaac Eni led the mobilisation in Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Wednesday.

Mr Eni said that the outreach was designed to secure community participation and prepare farmers for the benefits of the three-year project starting from September to March 2028.

According to him, the initiative which argets 100,000 farmers will improve the productivity and competitiveness of maize and soybean producers by at least 30 per cent among other benefits.

The consultant explained that the sensitisation campaigns were crucial for ensuring farmers understand the objectives, processes, and opportunities within the value-chain and market-oriented project.

“We are here to mobilise farmers and cooperative societies on the initiative with a view to obtaining their buy-in towards a successful project,” he said.

He said the project would give priorities to vulnerable groups, with women constituting 50 per cent of the beneficiaries, youth 40 per cent, and the remaining 10 per cent allocated to persons with disabilities and men.

He noted that out of 100,000 farmers, 60,000 would participate in maize production while 40,000 would be for soybean farming in the 20 selected LGAs in both states.

The consultant added that as part of the mobilisation drive, SAA is partnering with key private-sector actors to expose farmers to improved seeds, inputs and markets.

A Senior Research Officer at Premier Seeds, Emmanuel Sunday, who addressed farmers during the mobilisation, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supplying timely and affordable improved maize and soybean seeds.

Similarly, Senior Mobilisation Officer at AFEX, James Emmanuel, said that the company would provide ready markets for maize and soybean as well as supporting gender-sensitive financial inclusion, especially for rural women.

Speaking at the event, Agricultural Desk Officer, Kaduna State Ministry for Local Government, Maimuna Sufyanu, commended SAA for taking the mobilisation effort to the grassroots.

She added that the initiative would empower rural farmers and strengthen food security.

Ms Sufyanu noted that with mobilisation underway across communities, the SAA/AGRA project would deepen farmer awareness, build confidence and pave the way for enhanced productivity and stronger value chain in the maize and soybean sectors.

(NAN)