For smallholder farmers striving for improved livelihoods and food security, the orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) presents a compelling and increasingly vital opportunity. Beyond its vibrant colour, this biofortified crop offers a wealth of advantages, particularly its notable shelf life, which empowers farmers to navigate market fluctuations and secure better returns. Let's delve into four key reasons why embracing OFSP farming can be a...
Are you a smallholder farmer in Kwara State looking to enhance your farming activities? Do you and your fellow farmers in your community have adjacent farmlands? Here's some exciting news that could significantly improve your agricultural output! The Kwara State Government is making tractors accessible to support smallholder farmers like you. You can now contact the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ask about the...
For the dedicated smallholder farmer, the land is more than just soil; it's a legacy, a source of sustenance, and the foundation of their livelihood. The familiar rows and the earth's feel underfoot are deeply ingrained. However, even with the most diligent care, the land has its limits. When yields of staple crops like cassava and potato dwindle significantly from previous harvests, it's a clear signal: the soil is tired, and it's time to...
For cassava and potato smallholder farmers in Nigeria, the intertwined challenges of unreliable tractor access and escalating labour costs can severely impact productivity and profitability. These farmers often operate on tight margins and rely on efficient and affordable land preparation, planting, weeding, and harvesting methods. Innovative and adaptive strategies become crucial for sustaining their livelihoods when their usual options...
Cassava, a vital staple crop in many tropical regions, exhibits a significant increase in water content during the rainy season. This phenomenon is primarily due to increased soil moisture availability and the plant's natural physiological response to abundant water. During periods of heavy rainfall, the soil becomes saturated, providing cassava plants with ample water for absorption through their extensive root systems. As a result, the...
Today, as the world pauses to honour the contributions of workers across all sectors, it's vital that we shine a particularly bright light on the often-unseen heroes who nourish our communities and sustain our very existence: our farmers. On this Workers' Day, let us wholeheartedly celebrate the tireless dedication, unwavering resilience, and profound importance of every single farmer. From the sun-drenched fields of Kwara State to the vast...
The skies over Kwara State and much of Nigeria have remained stubbornly clear, the usual heralds of the rainy season – the dark, pregnant clouds – conspicuously absent. This prolonged delay and the growing shortage of rainfall are not just a meteorological inconvenience; they are a stark reality that is tightening its grip on our farmlands, particularly devastating the cassava crop, a cornerstone of our agricultural sustenance. The reasons...
Nigeria, the world's largest producer of cassava, presents a fertile ground for the burgeoning High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) industry. Several converging factors have created a thriving ecosystem for HQCF production, making it an attractive sector for investors. Factors Driving the Success of HQCF in Nigeria: Abundant Raw Material Supply: Nigeria's position as the top cassava producer globally ensures a readily available and relatively...
The figures paint a stark picture: across the globe, the number of smallholder farmers is dwindling, and the expanse of cultivated land is shrinking. This trend, far from being a localized issue, carries significant implications for food security and poverty reduction, a reality underscored by projections from the World Bank. Their analysis suggests a sobering truth: unless we actively engage in cultivating even small plots of land, the tide of...
The Federal Government of Nigeria is poised to launch a transformative initiative: the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM). This comprehensive framework aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector by boosting productivity, stabilizing volatile food prices, and ultimately driving sustainable economic growth across the nation. At the heart of this ambitious plan lies a commitment to empower smallholder farmers, particularly those...
