Climate-Resilient Seeds Empower Gombe’s Smallholder Farmers

Transforming Lives Through Agricultural Innovation

In Gombe State, a remarkable transformation is taking place in the lives of smallholder farmers. Over 2,000 farmers have reported significant improvements in productivity and household income through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project. This initiative has brought about positive changes in farming practices, particularly during the dry season.

Improved Yield and Higher Income

Malam Muhammad Gardi, a farmer from Sabon Garin Zambuk village in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area, shared his experience with the project. He highlighted that the provision of improved seedlings and solar-powered boreholes has been life-changing for him and other farmers in the community.

Gardi cultivates tomato, maize, and rice, and he noticed a dramatic increase in yield after receiving the improved seedlings. He mentioned that with a small amount of fertilizer, they now achieve higher yields. “Before the intervention, we harvested about five bags of maize from a piece of land. Now, we harvest up to 10 bags from the same land,” he said.

He also noted that the output of vegetables like tomatoes has nearly doubled on the same plots of land. “We now get over 30 baskets from a space where we used to produce around 15,” he added. The reliable water supply from solar-powered boreholes has made dry season farming much more manageable.

Wider Community Impact

The benefits of the ACReSAL Project extend beyond individual farmers. Malam Jauro Samaila, a traditional leader in the area, explained that about 55 farmer clusters are benefiting from the initiative. He emphasized that the project provided improved seedlings for various crops, including millet, guinea corn, maize, and rice.

“Maize and rice have strengthened our dry season farming, while millet and guinea corn are for the rainy season,” he said. The installation of boreholes has addressed long-standing water scarcity issues, significantly improving living standards in the community.

Strengthening Climate Resilience

Dr Sani Adamu Jauro, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, highlighted the collaboration between the project and the State Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives. This partnership ensures the sustainability of the initiative.

“The project has distributed more than 3,700 kilograms of drought-resistant seedlings, including millet, guinea corn, and maize, to farmer clusters across the 11 local government areas of the state,” he said. According to him, 2,071 farmers across 55 clusters have directly benefited from the initiative.

Jauro explained that these seed varieties are designed to withstand irregular weather patterns, enabling better harvests even under challenging conditions. He stressed the importance of building farmers’ resilience against the threats posed by climate change.

Beyond Seeds: Promoting Mechanisation

In addition to providing seeds, the ACReSAL Project has promoted mechanisation by procuring multipurpose tractors. These tractors are distributed to local governments for farmers’ access at subsidised rates.

“What would have taken nearly three weeks of manual labour can now be completed within a short period,” Jauro said. He emphasized that timely land preparation is critical to productivity, especially in the face of climate change.

Conclusion

The ACReSAL Project has demonstrated the potential of innovative agricultural practices in transforming the lives of smallholder farmers. By combining improved seedlings, reliable water supply, and mechanisation, the project has not only enhanced productivity but also contributed to the overall resilience of the farming community in Gombe State.