Bauchi farmers benefit from climate training

The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions has trained and reached 21,000 farmers across seven Local Government Areas in Bauchi North through a Social and Behaviour Change Communication campaign aimed at promoting climate-smart and regenerative farming practices.

The foundation’s Brand and Communications Manager, Clinton Inene, disclosed this during a training session on Saturday.

Inene said the campaign was being implemented under the Empowerment of Smallholder Farmers to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture Project, with funding support from the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation and Nigerian Breweries PLC.

He explained that the intervention was designed to address farming practices contributing to bush burning, deforestation, declining soil fertility, erosion and land degradation, which he said were increasing farmers’ vulnerability to drought and unpredictable rainfall.

According to him, the farmers received practical training on tree planting and protection, prevention of bush burning, soil conservation, water management, mulching, composting, and the use of manure and other organic fertilisation methods.

He added that the farmers were also introduced to earth bunds and half-moons, which could help reduce erosion, slow water runoff and improve rainwater infiltration.

Irene said the campaign reached more than 21,000 farmers, including 12,442 women and 13,850 young people.

He stressed that behaviour change was essential to ensuring that climate resilience interventions produced lasting results.

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“It is not enough to give farmers inputs and tools. They also need to understand why these practices matter and how the choices they make on their farms affect the land and their livelihoods,” he said.

The communications manager said farmers were also introduced to services available through FSSS Farmers’ Hubs, including improved seeds, agricultural inputs, training, mechanisation, climate information and market opportunities.

He noted that the SBCC campaign formed part of the wider ESTRRA Project, which aims to directly reach 14,000 smallholder farmers and contribute to the restoration of 29,000 hectares of degraded land across Bauchi North.

Speaking with journalists at the sidelines of the training, a farmer from Katagum Local Government Area, Musa Abdullahi, said the training had changed his approach to soil management.

“Before now, I used to burn the residues on my farm because I thought it was the easiest way to clear the land. From the training, I learned that the residues can be used as mulch and compost to improve the soil. I will stop burning them and use them to support my crops,” he said.

Similarly, a female4rt farmer from Giade Local Government Area, Hauwa Ibrahim, said the lessons on water conservation would help her reduce losses during periods of irregular rainfall.

“The training taught us how to make earth bunds and half-moons to keep water on the farm. This is important because rainfall is no longer predictable. I will apply what I learned so that my crops can receive more water and grow better,” she said.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the farmers unanimously agreed that the knowledge gained from the training would help them improve soil fertility, conserve water and reduce the cost of farming.