FCT SAPZ, Dangote partner to train 2,000 FCT farmers on smart agriculture

The FCT Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project, in partnership with Dangote Fertiliser, has commenced the training of facilitators who will subsequently train about 2,000 prospective farmer-beneficiaries across the Federal Capital Territory on improved fertiliser use and smart agricultural practices.

The FCT-SAPZ Coordinator, Dr Omole Olateju, disclosed this during the training on Thursday in Abuja, explaining that the initiative is aimed at improving farmers’ production and productivity through practical knowledge of fertiliser application, soil testing and analysis, and product identification.

According to him, the training is particularly important because fertiliser remains a critical input in crop production, especially for farmers cultivating maize and other cereals in the FCT.

“We are collaborating with Dangote Fertiliser to train about 2,000 farmers who are prospective beneficiaries of the FCT-SAPZ project. The training is focused on product knowledge, how to identify the product, fertiliser application, soil testing and analysis,” Omole said.

He explained that many farmers lack adequate knowledge of the appropriate type and quantity of fertiliser required for their crops and the nature of the soil on which they farm.

“Different soils require different types and quantities of fertiliser. Farmers need to know how to identify the soil that supports the growth of their crops and what nutrients are required to improve soil fertility,” he said.

Omole warned that improper fertiliser application could negatively affect both crop yields and farmers’ finances, particularly at a time when the cost of agricultural inputs remains high.

He noted that transferring the knowledge to farmers would enable them to adopt best practices and ultimately increase productivity and income.

The SAPZ coordinator disclosed that the prospective beneficiaries had already been organised into registered cooperative groups, while the current training is focused on preparing facilitators who will take the knowledge to the farmers.

He stressed that the programme was not limited to the current farming season, noting that farmers who may be unable to plant immediately would still benefit from subsequent training.

He said the FCT-SAPZ initiative was built around the concept of smart agriculture, with the broader objective of promoting food production throughout the year.

He added that the collaboration with Dangote Fertiliser was therefore expected to strengthen farmers’ capacity to make informed decisions about soil management and fertiliser use while improving the overall productivity of the FCT’s agricultural sector.

Deputy General Manager, Market Development, Dangote Fertiliser, Ndaya Muhammad Yelwa, said the training covers product knowledge, soil sample collection and analysis, and proper fertiliser application.

Yelwa said Dangote Agricultural Services would analyse farmers’ soil samples at no cost and recommend the appropriate type and quantity of fertiliser.

He said the initiative was aimed at bridging Nigeria’s persistent yield gap, noting that while some research-backed crop varieties can produce up to 10 tonnes per hectare, many farmers still record only two to three tonnes.

Yelwa urged government to strengthen agricultural extension services by deploying skilled extension agents to rural communities to provide farmers with regular technical support.

Also, SAPZ Crop Productivity Officer, Haruna Umar, said the ongoing exercise is a “training of trainers,” after which facilitators will return to the registered farmer groups to pass on the knowledge acquired.

Umar said a major benefit of the training is practical soil testing and analysis, noting that farmers previously had to send soil samples to ABU Zaria for analysis, saying Dangote’s laboratory facilities would make the process more accessible, while facilitators would also train farmers on appropriate fertiliser use and application to improve crop productivity.

Mazajimbaba Blessing, one of the facilitators, said the training had enhanced her knowledge of working with farmers, particularly on modern farming techniques, farm management and proper fertiliser application.

She said a key lesson was the importance of conducting soil tests before planting to determine the soil’s nutrient level and the appropriate type and quantity of fertiliser required, instead of applying fertiliser indiscriminately.