As part of efforts to ensure food security in the country, the Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria, with funding support from The Nippon Foundation, has commenced the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in the six states of Nasarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Benue, and Kwara states, targeting up to 9,000 smallholder farmers.

The exercise is part of the 2025 Wet Season farming intervention launched to improve food security, increase household incomes, and promote climate-smart farming practices among smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

The Communication Officer of SAA Nigeria, Moses Nongoatse made the disclosure in a statement signed and made available to our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital on Saturday.

According to him, about 45,000 smallholder farmers will benefit indirectly from the initiative which would feature the distribution of certified seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals to farmers in the six benefiting states.

He further narrated that prior to the commencement of the distribution exercise, SAA Nigeria had conducted a Preseason Training-of-Trainers for a total of 116 participants in the intervention states, equipping frontline extension agents with the technical skills needed to cascade regenerative agriculture and other good agronomic practices to farmers.

Nongoatse, therefore disclosed that to tackle the issues of food scarcity, the organisation is currently setting up 360 community demonstration plots in 90 rural communities across the six states, describing the plots are Farmer Learning Platforms.

He explained that the FLPs would help in showcasing regenerative agriculture practices, including intercropping, relay cropping, Urea Deep Placement, mulching, integrated pest and weed management, soil fertility strategies, and other good agronomic practices tailored to local agroecological contexts.

He said, “As the 2025 wet season progresses, SAA Nigeria is intensifying the implementation of its wet season program by establishing 360 community demonstration plots across 90 rural communities while strengthening partnerships with government institutions, development partners, and local farming groups.

“These efforts are part of a broader strategy to promote regenerative agriculture, good agronomic practices, and climate-smart innovations at the grassroots level.

“Through its inclusive, science-based approach, anchored in practical field demonstrations, capacity building, and technology transfer, SAA is not only improving yields but also driving systemic change in Nigeria’s food systems.

“The 2025 wet season program is thus more than a seasonal intervention; it is a catalyst for transforming smallholder agriculture into a resilient, sustainable engine of national food security and rural prosperity.”

Nongoatse, therefore affirmed that Sasakawa Africa Association, an international non-governmental agricultural extension service provider with support from The Nippon Foundation, will remain committed to building resilient and sustainable food systems in Africa.

While noting that the organisation is guided by its mission to empower smallholder farmers through knowledge-sharing and innovation, he quoted the SAA Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser as saying, “for more than 30 years, we have worked side by side with Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, delivering practical, field-tested innovations.

“Our interventions have consistently improved yields, from 1.9 MT/ha to 5.5 MT/ha in maize, and from 1.8 MT/ha to 6 MT/ha in rice production. In the case of soybean and cowpea, yields have improved from 0.6 MT/ha to 2.5 MT/ha. This is a result of blending improved inputs with hands-on extension and community-based learning.”