In a vibrant showcase of rural resilience, Jigawa’s smallholder farmers lit up with praise for Sasakawa Africa Association’s innovative farming boosts across the state
This has come as a team of experts and journalists toured beneficiary communities for more than two days, spotlighting transformative interventions in regenerative, nutrition-sensitive, and market-oriented agriculture.
The 2025 Media Field Days kicked off with visits to key spots like the Candam village in Birnin Kudu LGA, where locals shared heartfelt stories of how Sasakawa’s tech upgrades turned their struggles into successes.
Speaking with Arewa PUNCH during the tour, Khadija Ismail, the chairperson of the female beneficiaries’ group in Candam, representing 160 women, said: “Sasakawa’s training on modern techniques has empowered us to grow better yields and feed our families right.”
She beamed with smiles as she explained how nutrition-sensitive methods helped her group select quality seeds and manage crops smarter, easing daily hardships for women like her.
Buhari Nafi’u Candam, the chairman of the male beneficiaries’ group with 86 members, added his voice in the village square: “These cutting-edge tools from Sasakawa cut our losses and boosted productivity—it’s a game-changer for us men too.”
Rufa’i Nasiru, another beneficiary from Candam, shared a personal win with journalists: “I used to battle climate woes, but Sasakawa’s regenerative practices helped my farm thrive, raising my income and hope.”
Ismail Umar, who is the head of the Candam Youth Farmers Association, chimed in enthusiastically: “The youth are leading now, thanks to Sasakawa’s market-oriented training that links us to better sales.”
In his remark, the town head of Candam, located in Birnin Kudu LGA, Malam Sadi Usman, welcomed the initiative in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, saying: “Sasakawa’s interventions have united our community, uplifting everyone from elders to kids through sustainable farming,” he stated.
However, another set of beneficiaries while speaking on the development when the team moved to Chuwasu community in Taura LGA, where over 400 male and 300 female beneficiaries gathered, their faces glowing with gratitude for Sasakawa’s widespread impact.
Binta Musa, a group chairperson in Chuwasu village, explained that “Sasakawa’s push has made our agriculture regenerative – stronger soils, healthier lives, all around.”
Hadiza Salisu, another key voice from the beneficiaries, added during the field chats: “Nutrition-sensitive farming means our kids eat better; we’re so thankful for this support.”
Furthermore, in the Sabon Gari, Birnin Kudu LGA, and Baranda community in Dutse LGA, the energy stayed high as farmers, through their group chairman, Abubakar Musa and Hauwa’u Muhammad, demonstrated before the journalists’ team and Sasakawa’s officials high-tech seed selection and climate-smart practices, praising the Association.
Addressing farmers on – site, the Nigeria Country Director of Sasakawa Dr. Godwin Atser, leading the team, revealed that “this annual field day lets us hear your stories directly, fine-tuning our work to lift smallholders like you.”
The CD represented by the Deputy Country Director, Dr. Abdulhamid Gambo, highlighted the tour’s goal: “We’re assessing impacts across our three pillars to reduce losses, control challenges, and scale best practices against climate change.”
While debriefing journalists with optimism at the event’s close in Dutse on Tuesday, Dr. Gambo stressed further: “Jigawa’s state government shines in farmer support, and Sasakawa complements it beautifully through our 30-year partnership since 1992.”
He revealed that “Sasakawa’s activities funded by Japan’s Nippon Foundation, we’ve reached 9,000 direct beneficiaries in 34 communities this year, training over 25 farmer groups per CDP on modern seeds and management.”
Applauding the ties between the organisation, farmers, as well as the Jigawa State government, Dr. Gambo noted that “our interventions span all Jigawa LGAs, enhancing productivity, nutrition, and markets to raise living standards and honour these farmers’ grit.”
Arewa PUNCH further reports that the team also paid courtesy visits, first to JARDA’s Managing Director, Mr. Imam Muhammad, and Technical Adviser on Agriculture to the governor, Dr. Saifullahi Umar in their offices, where discussions focused on collaborative tech scaling for Jigawa’s farms.
Accordingly, the discussions touched on exchange of ideas on how Sasakawa can complement the state’s efforts at empowering rural growers.
