In line with their mandate to empower small-scale farmers and alleviate poverty in Nigeria, SCL Food Systems, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has begun training farmer groups in Adamawa State as part of Project Juriya (resilience) implementation.
The training, which brought together participants from 100 farmer groups across 10 local governments in Adamawa State, aims to equip them with leadership and financial inclusion skills. The local governments include Yola South, Yola North, Mubi South, Mubi North, Fufore, Demsa, Gerei, Mayo Belwa, Michika, and Madagali.
Speaking at the event in Yola, Adamawa State, the coordinator of the SCL project, Juriya Iliya Kefas, emphasized that the objective of the training is to impart leadership qualities and financial skills to the participants, who are members of mutual trust groups.
However, the ultimate goal is to break the cycle of poverty in the communities.
Kefas highlighted that the project targets small-scale farmers who lack the resources to enhance their farming activities.
The training will guide them on using cost-effective methods such as carbon agriculture, including animal dung, to improve their farming without additional costs.
He mentioned that the 100 farmer groups, known as Mutual Trust Fund, will benefit from the training, and the registration certificate provided to them will enable access to bank loans and support from government and other agencies.