The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), in collaboration with East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT) and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has launched the DELIVER Nigeria project aimed at empowering 50,000 farmers in Kaduna and Kano states.
Speaking at the launch of the three-year project, GAIN’s Country Director, Dr. Michael Ojo, stated that the project aims to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder vegetable farmers and promote healthier dietary habits in the two states.
He stated that the DELIVER Nigeria Project, which is part of the Accelerating Resilient Food Systems in Africa (ARFSA) program, will leverage the Transforming Nigeria’s Vegetable Markets project (SDGP1) to address key challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including low yields, limited market access, high post-harvest losses, and inadequate finance.
Dr. Ojo noted that despite some progress in recent years, smallholder vegetable farmers in Kaduna and Kano continue to face various challenges. This condition has been worsened by climate change and the low consumption of vegetables in the region, negatively impacting community health and the development of local vegetable markets.
He further explained that through the DELIVER Nigeria Project, GAIN, EWS-KT, and WUR aim to address these challenges by empowering 50,000 households and positively impacting millions of consumers. The project will train 25,000 existing smallholder farmers, previously supported by EWS-KT, in advanced vegetable production and marketing techniques, including climate-resilient practices. Additionally, it will enroll an additional 25,000 new farmers in similar training programs, improve financial access for 500 farmers, and conduct community and market promotional activities to boost vegetable consumption and foster healthier dietary habits.
He addd that the project will build the capacity of 140 sector professionals, including government extension agents, staff and students of agricultural facilities, and agro-inputs dealers, on crop agronomy, choice of crop and variety, fertilization, trellising, pest and disease identification and management.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Kaduna state, Mukhtar Morovia, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Bashir Muhammad, said the project came at a time when Kaduna state, along with the rest of the nation, is working to address the issues of food security, rural poverty, and economic development.
The Commissioner recognised the agricultural sector, particularly smallholder farmers, as vital to economic and social development, and stressed the need to support them with the right tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive.
“As the Ministry responsible for ensuring that the state’s resources are allocated efficiently and effectively, we recognize the significant potential that this project holds for driving economic diversification, particularly in rural areas. It has the potential to boost local economies, create jobs, reduce poverty, and ultimately contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which remain central to Kaduna State’s development agenda,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture, Murtala Mohammed, who was represented by the Director, Agricultural Services in the ministry, Bege Dutse, expressed excitement about the project, noting that it provides an opportunity to improve the capacity of extension services, strengthen value chains, as well as create sustainable linkages between farmers and markets.
He added that with the number of extension officers in Kaduna state, the training and capacity-building components of DELIVER Nigeria will have a huge impact on both farmers and the entire communities.