How FSSS is Building Capacity Among Smallholder Farmers in Nigeria

Introduction

In Nigeria, smallholder farmers play a crucial role in the agricultural sector – one of the cornerstones of the country’s economy. This sector contributes nearly 24% to the GDP (NESG, 2023), employs over one-third (almost 36%) of the country’s workforce, and supports almost 70% of its rural population (Oyaniran, 2020). 

Central to this sector are smallholder farmers (defined as those working on farmlands smaller than two hectares), who cultivate more than 80% of Nigeria’s agricultural land and produce approximately 90% of the nation’s food supply, making them essential to the country’s food security (USAID, 2022). Despite their importance, smallholder farmers face systemic challenges that hinder their productivity and economic stability.

Many of these farmers struggle to access high-quality inputs, such as improved seeds and fertilisers, and only a small fraction benefit from mechanised farming equipment due to high costs and limited availability. 

Moreover, nearly 90% of Nigerian smallholders lack access to formal financial services, including loans and insurance, which restricts their ability to invest in their farms and protect against losses (Steemers et al., 2022). This challenge is compounded by the fact that 95% of agricultural land has no formal titles, preventing farmers from obtaining finance or investing in improvements (IFAD, n.d.). These barriers result in a yield gap – Nigeria’s smallholder farmers produce less than half of their potential output per hectare, contributing to low income and food insecurity across the country (United States Government, 2024).

Climate change also exacerbates these issues, with increasing occurrences of droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather patterns impacting crop yields and farmers’ livelihoods. Nigeria’s smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to these climate-related threats, as they typically lack the resources and knowledge to adopt resilient farming practices. For instance, extreme weather events in northern Nigeria have reduced crop production in recent years, causing price surges and food shortages that disproportionately affect rural communities.

To tackle these pressing challenges, the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) has implemented a series of comprehensive programmes aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and income for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. FSSS’s approach centres on strengthening farming capacity through access to resources, knowledge, post-harvest handling and markets, creating a holistic support system that addresses each aspect of a smallholder’s needs.

Below are the core programmes and initiatives of FSSS, highlighting how each component contributes to a sustainable and prosperous future for Nigeria’s smallholder farmers.

Programmes and Initiatives

Farmers’ Service Centres (Farmers’ Hubs)

Farmers’ Service Centres, or Farmers’ Hubs, are pivotal to FSSS’s capacity-building strategy. These hubs are commercial service platforms that provide smallholder farmers with a single location to access quality agricultural inputs, mechanisation, and advisory services. Operated by local agri-entrepreneurs – predominantly women and youth – the hubs address the logistical and financial hurdles that farmers face in accessing resources. Previously, farmers had to travel long distances to obtain seeds, fertilisers, and other essentials, often at inflated costs. Now, with Farmers’ Hubs nearby, they can acquire necessary inputs affordably and conveniently.

By providing access to agricultural knowledge, FSSS empowers farmers to make more informed decisions on crop selection, planting techniques, and pest management. The hubs also offer machinery rentals for land preparation, planting, and harvesting, saving time and labour costs. These hubs have proven particularly beneficial in underserved areas where limited infrastructure impedes market operations, helping to bridge the gap for marginalised farmers and enabling them to operate efficiently.

Seed Hubs

High-quality seeds are essential for enhancing yields, especially in regions affected by climate variability. FSSS has established Seed Hubs to ensure that smallholders have access to seeds tailored to local soil conditions and climates. In partnership with Community-Based Seed Producer Organisations (CBOs), FSSS trains and supports community seed producers to grow, process, and distribute these improved seed varieties, creating a sustainable seed supply chain.

By promoting the use of region-specific seeds, FSSS helps farmers grow crops that are more resilient to pests, diseases, and weather extremes. Improved crop varieties are known to increase yields by up to 50%, which directly contributes to food security and farmers’ incomes (Uduji & Okolo-Obasi, 2018). This initiative not only enhances crop productivity but also fosters the growth of local agri-businesses focused on seed production, further contributing to economic development within rural communities.

Farmers’ Training and Support Programmes

FSSS offers regular training workshops to equip farmers with skills in sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices. These training programmes emphasise regenerative practices, pest and soil management, and sustainable water use. Through these sessions, farmers learn techniques like crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry, which enhance soil fertility, reduce pest infestations, and conserve water.

The training also covers climate-resilient practices that help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. For example, in drought-prone areas, FSSS trains farmers on moisture retention techniques such as mulching and the use of drought-tolerant crops. Additionally, farmers gain hands-on experience with integrated pest management, reducing their dependency on chemical pesticides, which can be costly and harmful to both the environment and farmers’ health.

Agri-Finance and Insurance Solutions

Financial constraints remain one of the biggest challenges for smallholder farmers, who are often unable to access credit or insurance due to lack of collateral or financial literacy. FSSS collaborates with financial institutions to develop customised financial products, including low-interest loans, micro-savings accounts, and crop insurance, that cater to smallholders’ specific needs.

Through these partnerships, FSSS ensures that farmers have access to affordable loans for purchasing inputs, upgrading equipment, and expanding their operations. The provision of crop insurance safeguards farmers against financial loss in the event of crop failure, providing them with a safety net that encourages more productive investments. As a result, farmers are able to invest in higher-quality inputs, boost productivity, and stabilise their incomes even in the face of adverse conditions.

Market Linkage Programmes

One of the most persistent barriers to growth for smallholder farmers is limited access to markets where they can sell their produce at fair prices. FSSS addresses this challenge by facilitating connections between farmers and buyers, including processors, wholesalers, and retailers. These Market Linkage Programmes create transparent and efficient supply chains that allow farmers to secure better market opportunities and avoid exploitation by middlemen.

By linking farmers directly to buyers, FSSS’s programme ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, which translates to higher incomes and improved livelihoods. Additionally, FSSS organises trade fairs and networking events that bring farmers together with agribusinesses, opening further opportunities for commercial partnerships and collaborations.

Research and Development

FSSS supports research initiatives focused on improving crop varieties, soil health, and sustainable farming techniques. Working with local research institutions, FSSS invests in studies on crop breeding, pest-resistant strains, and innovative soil management practices. This research informs the development of new farming practices that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable for smallholders.

By prioritising R&D, FSSS empowers farmers to access and adopt cutting-edge agricultural methods. For example, research on drought-resistant crops has enabled farmers in arid regions to achieve stable yields even in challenging conditions, while soil health studies inform the use of organic fertilisers that improve yields sustainably.

Conclusion

FSSS has created a multi-faceted support system that addresses the diverse needs of Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, from improving resource access to strengthening market connections. By enabling access to essential resources, financial services, training, and market opportunities, FSSS’s programmes are helping smallholders overcome long-standing challenges and achieve higher productivity and incomes.

FSSS’s holistic approach not only improves farmers’ livelihoods but also contributes to Nigeria’s food security and economic growth, fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector that will benefit future generations.

Reference

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, European Union, & French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. (2022). Food Systems Profile – Nigeria. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, European Union, and French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3380en
• Food Systems Profile – Nigeria. (2022). In FAO; CIRAD; European Union ; eBooks. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3380en
• IFAD. (n.d.). Nigeria. https://www.ifad.org/en/w/countries/nigeria
• NESG. (2023). Understanding the Nigerian Economy: Critical Issues for the Attention of an Incoming Administration.
• Oyaniran, T. (2020). Current State of Nigeria Agriculture and Agribusiness Sector. In AfCFTA WORKSHOP. PwC Nigeria. https://www.pwc.com/ng/en/assets/pdf/afcfta-agribusiness-current-state-nigeria-agriculture-sector.pdf
• Steemers, S., Bagu, B., & Adams, S. (2022). Addressing the $200 billion demand for finance for Agriculture and Agribusiness in Nigeria. In Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2022-05/Finance-for-Agriculture-and-Agribusiness-in-Nigeria.pdf
• Uduji, J. I., & Okolo-Obasi, E. N. (2018). Adoption of improved crop varieties by involving farmers in the e-wallet program in Nigeria. In African Governance and Development Institute (AGDI), AGDI Working Paper (WP/18/063). African Governance and Development Institute (AGDI). https://hdl.handle.net/10419/204959
• United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria. (2022). Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity Quarterly Report FY 2022 Q1: October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021.
• United States Government. (2024). Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) Nigeria Country Plan.