Doma Town, located in Doma LGA, Nasarawa State, is a close-knit community with a longstanding dedication to farming. For generations, rice farming has been the lifeblood of the town. However, many smallholder farmers have faced significant challenges, including limited resources, inconsistent yields, and low-value production.
Despite their hard work, the absence of modern agricultural resources and local processing opportunities often forced them to travel to larger towns for essential services.
For years, these obstacles stunted sustainable growth in the community, as local farmers needed access to high-quality inputs, advanced machinery, and training that could significantly improve their livelihoods. This situation began to change with the establishment of the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) Farmers’ Hub, which has brought new hope and resources for growth to Doma Town.
At the heart of this transformation is a man, Doma Jibrin Bala, a young economist who, after struggling to make ends meet for years, found his calling in agriculture with the Foundation’s support. His journey from university graduate to hub manager, working to uplift his community, illustrates the power of targeted interventions in smallholder farming.
Through his story, Doma Town has found a renewed sense of purpose, with local farmers now benefiting from a system that supports their growth, raises their incomes, and enhances food security.
Doma Jibrin Bala’s Journey
Doma’s path to agriculture was unexpected. Like many young Nigerian graduates, after he completed his studies in 2014 and his national service in 2016, he faced difficulties in finding stable employment, which forced him to pursue various ventures to support himself in a region with limited job opportunities. It wasn’t until the Foundation arrived in Nasarawa State that he found an opportunity to make a real difference.
“I was doing one or two things to make ends meet until this opportunity with the Foundation came my way,” he recalls. The Foundation, dedicated to rural agricultural development, selected Doma as the hub manager, where he now oversees a thriving centre that empowers local farmers in ways previously unimaginable.
“This foundation is not about politics,” he explains, emphasising the impartial and merit-based selection process that brought him into the role. “I was chosen based on my qualifications, and once I joined, the Foundation provided everything—the hub, machinery, and ongoing support. It has transformed not only my life but also the lives of countless others in the community.”
The Impact of the FSSS Farmers’ Hub on the Community
Doma’s hub has the capacity to serve over 5,000 farmers, providing resources from training to essential supplies such as fertilisers, herbicides, seeds, and vegetable seeds.
Under Doma’s management, the hub has become a vital resource, where farmers access training and state-of-the-art machinery for rice processing. “Before this hub, farmers used to mill their rice locally, but the methods was inefficient.” Doma explains.
“Now, with our advanced equipment, we can polish, destone, and bag the rice, producing higher-quality rice that farmers can sell at a higher prices.” This shift has increased farmers’ income, allowing them to better support their families.
The hub also serves as a comprehensive service centre, with facilities for parboiling, drying, milling, and packaging all in one place. “Our machines have a one-ton-per-hour capacity, allowing us to process up to 24 tons of rice daily,” he says proudly. This localised solution saves farmers the time and expense of transporting their products to distant towns.
“Farmers now see their rice transformed into a market-ready product right here,” he says, adding that this convenience also attracts buyers directly to the hub, providing a ready market for their produce.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite the hub’s success, Doma acknowledges persistent challenges. “We rely on the national grid for power, which is unreliable. As you can see, there’s no light right now,” he says, gesturing to bags of rice waiting to be milled. “With solar power or a generator, we could run continuously and improve our efficiency.”
Another issue is water scarcity. Parboiling rice requires a large, consistent water supply, which is often disrupted. “A borehole would provide the water security we need to keep operations steady,” he suggests.
Doma also has a vision to expand beyond milling. He plans to establish a seedling service to provide high-yielding seeds to local farmers. “We want to offer quality rice seedlings because many farmers still use low-yield seeds, affecting productivity. With resources to cultivate and supply better seeds, we could increase farmers’ yields, keep the hub at full capacity, and ensure a steady rice supply for the community,” he explains.
Empowering Youth through Agriculture
Doma’s journey is also an inspiration to other young people. “As a young person in this community, it’s rare to have an opportunity like this,” he reflects. “This hub has allowed me to register my own company, employ other youths and women, and provide them with a stable income. If more young people in Nasarawa State had similar opportunities, it would inspire them to join agriculture, reduce unemployment, and address food insecurity.”
With plans to engage 30 farmers in rice-growing projects, Doma is committed to making agriculture a sustainable livelihood in the community. He urges the Foundation and government agencies to continue supporting these initiatives. “With their help, we can overcome these challenges and involve more youth in agriculture, ensuring a brighter, more secure future for Doma and beyond.”
Through his work with the Foundation, Doma Jibrin Bala has not only uplifted himself but also inspired hope and sustainable growth in Doma Town. The Farmers’ Hub has become a model for how targeted interventions and the empowerment of agripreneurs can transform smallholder farming, offering a blueprint for other communities seeking similar progress. “This hub isn’t just for me—it’s for the whole community,” Doma says. “By helping me, the Foundation has helped Doma Town.”
Doma’s journey, and that of his town, is a powerful reminder that sustainable farming is more than a livelihood—it’s a pathway to community transformation.
