Theresa Markus, the determined and passionate hub manager for the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) Farmers’ Hub in Nasarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa State, has seen first-hand the profound impact the programme has made on the lives of local farmers and her own career in agriculture.
Beginning her journey as a small-scale farmer, she now manages a thriving Farmers’ Hub that has become a lifeline for farmers in the community, equipping them with training, reliable agricultural inputs, and technical guidance.
According to Markus, the Farmers’ Hub serves as “a farmer’s solution centre” for Nasarawa-Eggon. “We have farmers come here to get advice, their inputs—everything they need to take back to their farm and practice,” she explained.
The hub provides crucial agricultural inputs like quality seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, all of which are certified and reliable. This is a significant change, as local farmers often encounter counterfeit products in the open market. “They vow not to go anywhere else for inputs because here, they know it’s authentic,” she shared.
The hub also conducts regular training sessions to educate farmers on the latest, more efficient techniques, helping them boost their yields. One notable example Markus highlighted was a Fulani farmer who had been struggling with his crops. “We visited his farm, advised him on what to do, and even held training sessions there. Now, he’s not only a regular at the hub but has brought other farmers as well.”
Markus has witnessed multiple success stories from farmers who have adopted these new methods and inputs, leading to increased productivity and income. “Many of them come back with testimonies,” she said.
Farmers who used to struggle with low yields now see larger harvests and better profits. For instance, she gave an example of another local farmer who invested in improved tomato seedlings and has seen a significant return, taking his produce to the bustling market in Jos. “He came back to tell us that this year, he’s made enough to support his family sustainably,” Markus recounted proudly.
Markus’s involvement with FSSS has also transformed her own farming career. “Before joining this foundation, I’d only done small-scale farming,” she admitted. “But with the support of FSSS, I’ve expanded to farming three hectares of rice, two hectares of sesame, and, for the first time, tomatoes.”
Starting her farming business with an initial investment of ₦1.5 million, Markus is thrilled with her current turnover. “I can proudly say that I have sold up to ₦5 million in produce this year alone,” she shared, emphasising how FSSS has helped her scale up her operation.
Markus expressed deep gratitude to FSSS for its impact on her life and the community. “This foundation has been an eye-opener,” she said. “It’s taught me the importance of large-scale farming and has brought hope to so many farmers. I thank the foundation for opening my eyes and helping me, and the entire community, realise our agricultural potential.”
Markus’s journey from a small-scale farmer to a successful hub manager exemplifies the power of agricultural support programmes in empowering individuals and communities, proving that with the right support, sustainable farming can bring prosperity to even the most rural areas.
