As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing food security, promoting economic empowerment, and supporting national development, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Ltd. has launched the second phase of its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme, extending the initiative to Northern Nigeria.
This phase of the programme will cover the North East, North West, and North Central geopolitical zones, with training sessions set to take place in six selected states across these regions, as well as in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The training is aimed at equipping smallholder farmers with modern agricultural skills, focusing on key areas such as climate-smart farming, organic fertilization methods, strategies for reducing post-harvest losses, and improved access to markets.
The initiative builds on the success of the first phase, which was implemented across the South-East, South-South, and South-West regions.
That phase empowered over 4,000 farmers with advanced farming techniques and market-oriented strategies, significantly boosting their productivity and income.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the first phase in Nsukka, Enugu State, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, emphasized that the programme aligns closely with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
She noted that the initiative is designed to strengthen food security, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers nationwide.
“At NNPC Ltd, we understand that agriculture serves as the primary means of livelihood for more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s population. However, a significant number of farmers remain stuck at subsistence-level farming due to limited exposure to modern practices, lack of access to quality inputs, and insufficient connection to competitive markets. This training programme is specifically designed to transform that reality,” Arukwe noted.
She further highlighted that the objective of the initiative is to empower participants with the essential tools, practical knowledge, and necessary resources to transition from subsistence farming to sustainable and commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
