The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) has announced a three-year programme aimed at strengthening climate resilience and promoting regenerative agriculture among smallholder farmers in Bauchi North Senatorial District.
The initiative, known as Empowerment of Smallholders to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture (ESTRRA), is designed to directly support 14,000 farmers across seven Local Government Areas — Katagum, Giade, Shira, Gamawa, Itas-Gadau, Jama’are, and Zaki. It also prioritizes inclusion, with 60 per cent of its beneficiaries expected to be women and 30 per cent youth.
Speaking to journalists, Executive Director of FSSS, Mr. Isaiah Gabriel, said the project represents a strategic step toward empowering smallholder farmers to adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
He explained that through ESTRRA, degraded lands will be restored, sustainable livelihoods strengthened, and rural communities better equipped to withstand environmental pressures.
He said: “Over 20,000 hectares of degraded land will be reclaimed through sustainable restoration methods such as half-moons and reforestation with fruit-bearing crops.
“The project will also promote mixed farming systems to improve household nutrition, enhance income through off-season activities, and expand market access for smallholders embracing regenerative and climate-smart practices.”
He added that beyond direct beneficiaries, the initiative is projected to positively impact more than 70,000 community members across the region through knowledge transfer and community-led interventions.
According to Gabriel, the ESTRRA project will be implemented through the Farmers’ Hub Model, a proven system that improves access to quality inputs, markets, and technical training while promoting environmentally friendly and inclusive farming systems.
“This initiative brings us closer to our vision of a Nigeria where smallholder farming drives inclusive growth and prosperity,” he noted. “By equipping farmers with the right knowledge and tools, we are building a more resilient, food-secure future for Northern Bauchi and beyond.”
The project, supported by the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF), will focus on capacity building, soil restoration demonstrations, women and youth group strengthening, and value chain development to enhance income opportunities for rural households.
