Over 43 seed production cooperatives from every corner of Adamawa State have been handed a major opportunity — training that could change their farming game for good.
The training, organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), didn’t come alone. It had serious backing from the Islamic Development Bank, ADAS, and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development. Their focus? Teaching these grassroots farmers how to grow better seeds and make real money from it.
This took place at the Nyako Centre, inside the State Secretariat in Yola. Farmers came in as learners, but left with knowledge that could turn them into local heroes.
Now let’s be honest — if Nigeria wants to solve its food crisis, it starts with the seed. Bad seeds mean poor harvests. Good seeds? Bigger yields, more food, and more money in people’s pockets.
Alford Gundiri, Director from the Ministry of Agriculture, who stood in for the Commissioner, nailed the point. He said the state now pushes climate-smart seeds — varieties that can survive dry spells, floods, or crazy weather. That’s what farmers need now more than ever.
He didn’t mince words:
“Our target is to make good seeds available and cheap. That way, our farmers will get better harvests, make more money, and reduce food shortages. It’s a win for everyone.”
Right now, most small farmers in Adamawa struggle with poor seeds and zero support. This training flips that story.
On his part, Muniru Ahmed, who manages the TADAMON Project under the Islamic Development Bank, tied the conversation to a bigger issue — food insecurity across the globe.
“There are wars and crises everywhere, and food is getting scarce. We want Africa to depend on itself. That means training farmers to produce high-quality seeds, and run agriculture like a serious business,” Muniru told the crowd.
This isn’t just farming. It’s nation-building, from the soil up.
The participants didn’t just sit and listen. They had their say too.
Vastina Teneke, a cooperative member, came out of the training with fresh fire. She said if cooperatives stay focused, they can become unstoppable.
“Forget small thinking. We need clear goals and teamwork. That’s how we’ll build a strong farming future,” Vastina told Sahel Reporters.
Another voice, Baba Sahabo, is not new to IITA’s training sessions. He’s been on it for five years straight. He’s a certified seed producer who’s mastered the ropes, especially in marketing and agro-business.
He said, “If you don’t know where to sell or how to brand yourself, you’ll waste your harvest. These trainings teach us to be smart farmers, not just hard-working ones.”
Let’s pause and talk about this. A lot of government programs come and go without results. But this one is different. It goes straight to the root — cooperative societies, the real foot soldiers of Nigeria’s food system.
And with another farming season just around the corner, these cooperatives have a chance to flip the script. They now know how to plant smarter, manage their farms better, and even take their products to the market like pros.
But will they use the knowledge?
That’s the million-naira question. The answers will show up in the next harvest. If yields go up and profits increase, we’ll know this training didn’t go to waste.
Until then, the message is loud and clear — food security starts with the seed, and Adamawa is ready to lead.
