LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Capital Territory Special Agro-Processing Zones (FCT-SAPZ) Project has partnered with Dangote Fertilizer to train facilitators who will pass improved fertiliser use and smart farming skills to about 2,000 prospective farmers across the territory.
FCT-SAPZ Coordinator, Dr Omole Olateju, said the programme is designed to improve crop production through practical lessons on soil testing, fertilizer application and product identification.
“We are collaborating with Dangote Fertiliser to train about 2,000 farmers who are prospective beneficiaries of the FCT-SAPZ project. The training is focused on product knowledge, how to identify the product, fertilizer application, soil testing and analysis,” Omole said.
He explained that the training would address the limited knowledge among some farmers about the type and quantity of fertilizer their crops require.
“Different soils require different types and quantities of fertiliser. Farmers need to know how to identify the soil that supports the growth of their crops and what nutrients are required to improve soil fertility,” he explained.
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Omole warned that improper fertilizer use could reduce crop yields and waste farmers money, especially with the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
He added that the beneficiaries had been organized into registered cooperatives, while the current exercise was preparing facilitators to train the groups.
Also, the Deputy General Manager, Market Development, Dangote Fertilizer, Ndaya Muhammad Yelwa, said the training covers fertilizer knowledge, soil sample collection, analysis and proper application.
Yelwa stated that Dangote Agricultural Services would analyze farmer soil samples at no cost and recommend the appropriate type and quantity of fertilizer.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s persistent yield gap, noting that some research-backed crop varieties can produce up to 10 tonnes per hectare, while many farmers still harvest only two to three tonnes.
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Yelwa called for stronger agricultural extension services, urging governments to deploy skilled extension officers to rural communities for regular technical support.
Similarly, SAPZ Crop Productivity Officer, Haruna Umar, described the exercise as a “training of trainers.”
He said the facilitators would return to the registered farmer groups to share the knowledge acquired.
Umar added that accessible soil testing would be a major benefit of the programme. He noted that farmers previously had to send soil samples to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for analysis, while Dangote’s laboratory facilities would make the process easier.
The FCT-SAPZ project stressed that the programme supports its wider smart agriculture strategy to promote year-round food production while helping farmers make better decisions that can improve yields, income and the productivity of the territory’s agricultural sector.
