From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) says it has supported more than 8,950 smallholder farmers in Benue State with improved agricultural practices, higher crop productivity and better access to markets.
The intervention is being implemented under The Nippon Foundation (TNF) project in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture through the Benue State Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanisation.
According to a factsheet made available to journalists during a field tour of demonstration farms on Monday, the programme is designed to help smallholder farmers transition from subsistence agriculture to commercially viable and market-oriented production.
SAA, a non-governmental organisation established in 1986 by Japanese philanthropist Ryoichi Sasakawa, Nobel Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug and former United States President Jimmy Carter, focuses on agricultural extension and smallholder farmer development.
The organisation said it has operated in 12 sub-Saharan African countries, collaborating with governments, universities, agricultural colleges and other partners to promote technologies and farming practices capable of increasing crop yields and household incomes.
Building on four decades of experience in Africa, SAA said its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan seeks to strengthen resilient, inclusive and market-driven agrifood systems.
The strategy focuses on scaling proven agricultural extension models, promoting climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive farming practices, strengthening partnerships across agricultural value chains and empowering farmers and local institutions.
Under its Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems initiative, SAA promotes practices aimed at improving soil health, biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems while sustainably increasing crop productivity.
These include Conservation Agriculture, Integrated Soil Fertility Management and Integrated Pest Management, as well as minimum tillage, composting, mulching, crop rotation, biochar and Urea Deep Placement.
The organisation also promotes nutritious and biofortified crops to tackle micronutrient deficiencies and improve dietary diversity among farming households.
Other interventions include household backyard gardens, food processing and fortification training and the use of hermetic storage technologies, including PICS bags, to reduce post-harvest losses.
Through its Inclusive Market and Agribusiness Development programme, SAA encourages farmers to embrace the concept of “farming as a business.”
Farmers receive training in business development, market analysis, management of farmer organisations and the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion approach. The programme also seeks to strengthen links between farmers, input suppliers and produce markets.
SAA said it had been operating in Benue State for the past three years, providing integrated agricultural extension services across soybean, maize, rice and horticultural value chains.
The interventions are targeted at smallholder farmers, frontline extension agents, community-based facilitators, traders, women and youth groups.
The organisation currently operates in Gwer East, Gboko, Tarka, Guma, Ushongo, Vandeikya, Buruku and Konshisha Local Government Areas.
According to its 2025 performance indicators, 1,366 farmers were directly mobilised and sensitised, while 8,950 farmers were reached through step-down agricultural extension services.
SAA also established 1.5 hectares of community-based seed multiplication plots involving 75 farmers and set up an Agro-Enterprise Processing Centre.
In addition, nine young people were empowered as members of spray gangs, while 58 participants were engaged in market linkage meetings aimed at connecting farmers with buyers and improving opportunities for profitable agricultural production.
The interventions are expected to strengthen food production, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the incomes of smallholder farmers across participating communities in Benue State.
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