HortiNigeria, a Dutch-funded horticulture programme, has significantly impacted Nigeria’s agricultural sector by training over 60,000 smallholder farmers and 2,000 entrepreneurs, according to Director Muhammed Idris. This initiative has led to an impressive 92% increase in yields for crucial crops like cabbage, onions, and tomatoes.
The announcement came during a two-day workshop in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Abdullahi Umar represented Idris. The programme, implemented by a consortium including the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), focuses on enhancing productivity and income for smallholder farmers across four pilot states: Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, and Oyo.
Key Highlights:
- Training Impact: 60,000 smallholder farmers and 2,000 entrepreneurs trained
- Yield Increase: 92% growth in cabbage, onion, and tomato production
- Digital Outreach: Over 70,000 farmers engaged through digital platforms and social media
- Value Chains: Ten horticulture sectors are targeted, including cucumber, okra, pepper, sweet corn, and watermelon.
HortiNigeria, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, aims to develop a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sector to bolster food and nutrition security nationwide. The programme aligns with both Dutch and Nigerian objectives, having launched numerous initiatives since November 2021.
“As HortiNigeria enters its final implementation year in 2025, we’re poised to expand our reach and continue enhancing the capabilities of smallholder farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, and financial institutions,” Idris stated. He emphasised that future efforts will focus on scaling successful innovations, improving access to finance, and strengthening systems for sustainable agricultural development.
The programme’s success is attributed to the commitment of consortium partners and the resilience of various commodity value chain players. Recent activities include donating a waste-to-wealth bin to Soiless Farm Lab at Awowo and handing over Eco-Efficient Solutions to FUNAAB Hub during farm visits.
For more information on HortiNigeria’s initiatives and impact, visit their official website or follow their social media channels.