Food Security: Nasarawa Farmers Record Massive Boost in Rice Yields

….., Rising from 80 to 225 Bags

From Abel Zwanke,Lafia 

Farmers across Nasarawa State are celebrating unprecedented harvests after embracing new climate-smart agricultural techniques that have transformed their farmlands and boosted food production.

From Doma to Lafia and Obi Local Government Areas, farmers say the new methods have not only increased their yields but also improved their livelihoods and food security.

The interventions were introduced by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation operating in agricultural extension service delivery, with support from The Nippon Foundation of Japan.

Speaking to our Correspondent in a two-Day Media Field ,a rice farmer from Alagye community in Doma LGA, Mr. Timothy Audu Akwash, representing the Albarka Cooperative Society, told Arewa PUNCH that the training he received from Sasakawa had completely changed his farming experience.

“Before Sasakawa came, I used to harvest about 70 or 80 bags of rice from my 300 by 300 feet farmland. But with the new planting method and fertiliser application techniques they taught us, I now get up to 225 bags of rice,” Akwash said with excitement.

Akwash further stated that his experience marks a turning point.“Before, we were just farming to survive,” he said. “Now, we farm to prosper.”

He explained that before the intervention, farmers in the area were applying fertiliser and planting rice seeds incorrectly.“We were wasting both our rice and fertiliser because we used to broadcast them on the farm.

Sasakawa trained us to raise rice in nursery beds before transplanting and to use Urea Deep Placement for fertiliser. That single change has made a big difference,” he added.

Akwash listed some of the technologies introduced by the group to include good agronomic practices, biochar, e-kakashi, greenhouse gas emission measurement, and other soil improvement techniques. 

He appealed for the establishment of a rice aggregation centre in Alagye community to help farmers access better markets and earn more income.

Similarly, Mr. Emmanuel Angulu, Chairman of Apashi Woza Cooperative Society in Assakio community, Lafia LGA, said the intervention had brought what he described as an “industrial revolution” to the area.“The rice aggregation centre built here has changed everything,” Angulu said. 

“Farmers now bring their rice here instead of milling in their villages. The centre is well-equipped and has opened new business opportunities for the community and its surroundings.”

He said many young people and women had been empowered through the project, turning rice farming into a profitable enterprise.

The Country Director of SAA, Nigeria, Godwin Atser, said the organisation is implementing impactful agricultural initiatives across farming communities in Nasarawa State, enabling thousands of farmers to learn climate-smart and regenerative practices.

“Thousands of women and youth farmers have learnt practices that improve productivity and resilience. On behalf of the President of Sasakawa Africa Association, Mr. Shuichi Suzuki, and the people of Japan, we appreciate the enabling environment provided by the government and people of Nasarawa State,” Atser said.

He noted that the interventions form part of SAA’s 2021–2025 Strategic Plan, which promotes regenerative agriculture, market-oriented agriculture, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture,  three interlinked pillars aimed at enhancing productivity, building resilience, and improving livelihoods.

“As we continue to work together, SAA remains committed to supporting Nasarawa’s vision for food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and youth inclusion in agriculture,” he added.

The Programme Manager of the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), Mr. Umar Jibrin Nuhu, commended SAA for promoting modern farming methods that are yielding positive results across the state.

“We appreciate Sasakawa for their contribution to agricultural development in Nasarawa. The results are visible, and the state government is committed to partnering with any organisation that helps tackle hunger and improve rural livelihoods,” Nuhu said.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of SAA, Nigeria, Mrs. Salome Sabo, thanked farmers and stakeholders for their participation during the two-day 2025 Media Field Days programme, reaffirming the NGO’s commitment to supporting farmers to achieve greater productivity.

Also speaking, the Communication Officer of SAA, Nigeria, Mr. Moses Nongoatse, reaffirmed the NGO’s commitment to expanding its interventions across the state.

“We introduce climate-smart varieties that can withstand drought, resist diseases, and produce high yields. Our goal is to deploy technologies that mitigate the effects of climate change and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” Nongoatse said.

He disclosed that SAA currently operates in six Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State — Lafia, Doma, Obi, Awe, Akwanga, and Keffi — and plans to expand through continued partnership with the state government.