The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria has supported more than 18,000 smallholder farmers in Nasarawa State with climate-smart farming practices, improved crop storage, biofortified crops and access to agricultural markets.

The organisation disclosed the achievements during a courtesy visit to the Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Lafia as part of its 2026 Media Field Days programme.

Promoting climate-smart farming

SAA-Nigeria Country Director Dr. Godwin Atser said the organisation established 60 community demonstration plots across Nasarawa in 2025. More than 2,000 farmers were exposed to conservation agriculture, soil-health management and climate-resilient technologies.

Through a Japan-funded Policy and Human Resource Development Grant, SAA also introduced the e-Kikashi digital tool, which helps measure soil carbon sequestration and monitor greenhouse gas emissions.

The organisation said these interventions are designed to help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions while improving the sustainability of agricultural production.

SAA called for stronger collaboration and counterpart funding from the Nasarawa State Government to expand these programmes.

Improving food storage and nutrition

SAA’s nutrition-sensitive agriculture programme is also promoting safer and more effective post-harvest storage.

Programme Officer Dr. Moshood Sulaiman highlighted the use of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and converted plastic tanks, which can help farmers preserve grains for extended periods while reducing dependence on chemical storage methods.

The organisation is also promoting nutrient-rich biofortified crops, including Provitamin A maize, zinc millet and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

These crops are particularly targeted at improving nutrition among children under five and women of reproductive age.

Linking farmers to markets

Market access remains another major focus of the programme.

SAA said 18,900 farmers were trained to approach agriculture as a business, while 55 farmer organisations were connected to input suppliers and output markets.

Nasarawa is also the beneficiary of two aggregation centres supported by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The centres are located in Assakio and Agwatashi communities in Lafia Local Government Area and are expected to strengthen farmers’ ability to aggregate and market their produce.

Government seeks stronger partnership

The Nasarawa State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security welcomed SAA’s interventions and called for closer cooperation between the organisation and government agencies.

Permanent Secretary Hajiya Salamatu Sani said SAA’s programmes complement state initiatives, including the Agriculture Intelligence Dashboard and new regulatory measures covering fertiliser and seed quality.

She also called for greater cooperation between SAA’s nutrition team and the ministry’s Nutrition Department, as well as the sharing of SAA’s annual operational plan to improve coordination among government, development partners and private-sector stakeholders.

SAA operates in 18 Nigerian states and says its broader mission is to contribute to reducing hunger and poverty through improved agricultural productivity, nutrition and market access.

The Nasarawa visit also included engagements with the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (CAST), Lafia, and inspections of agricultural projects, including the Family Business Garden school initiative.