NNPC Foundation has launched a new wave of hope for farmers in northern Nigeria with the official flag-off of its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme in Kano.
The initiative, which began on Tuesday, is designed to empower farmers in the North-West with the knowledge and tools needed to increase yields, reduce losses, and strengthen food security in the region. With over 7,000 farmers already registered across four geopolitical zones, the programme is making deliberate efforts to target vulnerable farmers, especially women and young people who play a vital role in the nation’s agricultural workforce.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, explained that the training was carefully structured to move farmers from subsistence to sustainable farming practices that can ensure better incomes and resilience for households. Represented by the Foundation’s Executive Director of Finance, Mrs. Eugenia Dominion, Arukwe noted that the initiative is not only about farming techniques but also about opening doors to opportunities that can transform rural communities.
“This programme is about equipping our farmers with practical skills, proven methods, and market access strategies. We want them to be able to farm smarter, earn better, and live with greater confidence,” she said.
The training curriculum covers key areas, including climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest management, financial literacy, cooperative building, and the use of digital tools for accessing wider markets. These modules are expected to prepare farmers for the challenges of modern agriculture, while also helping them cope with the effects of climate change on food production.
Arukwe urged farmers drawn from Kano and Jigawa states to participate actively in the sessions, stressing that their success will be measured not just in the classroom but in increased farm productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, and stronger cooperative structures that provide bargaining power.
In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mamood, commended the Foundation for bringing the programme to the state. He described it as timely, aligning with the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture into a driver of economic growth and food sufficiency.
“Our government has continued to invest heavily in agricultural reforms, employing over 1,000 extension officers and promoting mechanised farming to ease the burden of smallholder farmers. This collaboration with the NNPC Foundation will further strengthen our drive to make Kano a hub of agricultural excellence,” Mamood stated.
For farmers on the ground, the programme has already begun to inspire hope. A beneficiary, Alhaji Ado Japanese from Gwale Local Government Area, expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for the initiative.
“This training is a blessing to us. It will mobilise many farmers towards increased food production, and we believe it will improve our livelihoods,” he said.