Food insecurity in Nigeria is linked to low agricultural production. Regular imports of grains are needed to feed the growing population.
The pressure on the national Agricultural Development Programme to provide agricultural extension services is high. A reduced number of extension agents, shortage of women agents, lack of access to inputs and lack of capital to diversify livelihood options are among the challenges that smallholder farmers face today.
PROACT's Farmer Field Training Schools (FFTS) intervention has been successful in improving agricultural extension services through a “lead farmer” approach and spreading improved agricultural techniques through experiential learning. A fertiliser and inputs delivery model and private sector links for input supply and off-taking also worked well.
As a result, FFTS and community mobilisation increased yield and income for farming households. If future agricultural policies strengthen and scale up the FFTSs, this will contribute to the national agenda of facilitating agricultural growth and promoting investment in agriculture.