Mkpoikana Udoma Port Harcourt — As part of efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues, the NNPC Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), has expanded its Vulnerable Farmers Training Programme to Northern Nigeria.
The initiative, which kicked off its second phase this month, targets farmers across the North-East, North-West, and North-Central geopolitical zones as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The programme focuses on climate-smart agriculture, organic fertilization, post-harvest loss reduction, and market access improvements—areas critical to improving productivity and reducing food insecurity.
Highlighting the economic significance of the project during the flag-off of the first phase in Nsukka, Enugu State, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda while also advancing NNPC’s role in Nigeria’s economic diversification.
“At NNPC Ltd, we recognize that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for over 70% of Nigeria’s population. Yet, many farmers remain trapped in subsistence-level production due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and competitive markets. This training is designed to change that narrative,” Arukwe said.
She stressed that the programme is structured to push farmers beyond subsistence, positioning agriculture as a viable commercial enterprise capable of lifting millions out of poverty.
“The goal of the training is to equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources required to move from subsistence farming to sustainable, commercial-scale agricultural production,” she explained.
The initiative is designed to build the capacity of farmers on climate-smart agriculture, organic fertilization, post-harvest loss reduction, and improved market access strategies—tools regarded as critical to transforming smallholder farming into commercial-scale productivity.
Akukwe explained that the Foundation’s intervention was not just about providing skills but also about creating pathways for sustainable wealth creation across rural communities.
“The goal of the training is to equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources required to move from subsistence farming to sustainable, commercial-scale agricultural production,” she added.
The first phase of the programme empowered more than 4,000 farmers across the South-East, South-South, and South-West regions, where participants adopted new techniques that improved productivity and reduced post-harvest losses.
The Northern expansion could significantly increase food output in the country, considering the region’s role as Nigeria’s agricultural belt.
The company further said that the NNPC Foundation initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda, which seeks to enhance national food security, boost productivity, and reduce the country’s reliance on imports.
