The NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd., has expanded its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme to Northern Nigeria.
This marks the second phase of the initiative aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s food security, promoting economic empowerment, and supporting national development.
The programme is designed to equip farmers with modern agricultural techniques, focusing on climate-smart farming, organic fertilization, post-harvest loss reduction, and improved market access strategies, as stated by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Andy Odeh.
The first phase of the programme, which took place in the Southern region (including South-East, South-South, and South-West), successfully trained over 4,000 farmers in modern agricultural practices and market-access strategies.
The second phase will target the North East, North West, and North Central geopolitical zones, with training sessions planned in six designated states across these zones, as well as one session in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
During the official launch of the first phase in Nsukka, Enugu State, Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, emphasized the significance of the programme.
She stated that it aligns with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda, which aims to enhance food security, increase productivity, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers nationwide.
“At NNPC Ltd., we recognize that agriculture serves as the primary source of livelihood for over 70% of Nigeria’s population. However, many farmers remain trapped in subsistence-level production due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and competitive markets. This training aims to change that narrative,” Arukwe explained.
She underscored that the goal of the training is to provide participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to transition from subsistence farming to sustainable, commercial-scale agricultural production.
Recall that the first phase of the programme, held across the Southern region (South-East, South-South, and South-West), empowered over 4,000 farmers with modern agricultural practices and market-access strategies, recording significant success.
The second phase will cover North East, North West, and North Central geopolitical zones, with training sessions scheduled to be held in six designated States across the three zones, and one in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Highlighting the importance of the programme during the official flag-off of the first phase at Nsukka, Enugu State, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda, which seeks to boost food security, increase productivity, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across the country.
“At NNPC Ltd, we recognise that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for over 70% of Nigeria’s population. Yet, many farmers remain trapped in subsistence-level production due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and competitive markets. This training is designed to change that narrative,” Arukwe stated.
She emphasised that the goal of the training is to equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources required to move from subsistence farming to sustainable, commercial-scale agricultural production.