The Heineken Africa Foundation, through Nigerian Breweries Plc, has committed N4 billion to train 14,000 smallholder farmers in Bauchi State on smart and regenerative agriculture over the next three years. The program, titled “Empowerment of Smallholder Farmers to Thrive and Build Climate Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture,” was launched on Thursday across seven local government areas of the state.
Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External, and Government Affairs at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the initiative, implemented in partnership with the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions, builds on the foundation’s long-standing investments in healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa.
“Our decision to invest in Bauchi is both deliberate and strategic. Bauchi is home to resilient, resourceful, and industrious smallholder farmers whose contributions are essential to Nigeria’s food security,” Aniukwu said. He noted that the project aims to strengthen livelihoods, particularly for women and youth, by providing access to training, quality inputs, improved market linkages, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Dr. Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director of the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions, explained that beneficiaries will be trained through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots, focusing on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, soil and water conservation, pest and disease management, crop diversification, and post-harvest handling. Of the 14,000 farmers, 60% are women, while 40% are youth.
“The project promotes regenerative farming that rebuilds soil fertility, encourages efficient water management, and introduces drought-tolerant crop varieties,” Gabriel said. He added that the program targets a 30% increase in farmers’ income and will span Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa local government areas.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Iliyasu Gital, praised the foundation for selecting Bauchi and pledged the government’s full support for the initiative.
Farmers who participated in the launch expressed optimism. Maimunatu Sani, from Kano State, said she learned how to recycle farm residues into organic fertilizer and encouraged Bauchi farmers to embrace the techniques. Mama Mairam, another Kano-based farmer, noted that the introduction of new farming methods had reduced wastage and increased yields per hectare, highlighting the program’s potential to boost food security and transform local agriculture.
