Smallholder farmers get boost ahead of 2026 planting season

Smallholder farmers in Benue State are set to benefit from improved extension services and climate-smart farming practices following a capacity-building bootcamp organised by the Agricultural Development for Economic Growth Initiative ahead of the 2026 farming season. Our correspondent reports that at least 35 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and “champion farmers” were trained to […]

Smallholder farmers in Benue State are set to benefit from improved extension services and climate-smart farming practices following a capacity-building bootcamp organised by the Agricultural Development for Economic Growth Initiative ahead of the 2026 farming season.

Our correspondent reports that at least 35 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and “champion farmers” were trained to deliver tailored advisory services to rural farmers, equipping them with tools to address rising production challenges and Nigeria’s growing food insecurity.

Founder and Country Director of AgDEG, Adayi Joseph Unogwu, said the training was designed to strengthen private extension systems by providing participants with precise, data-driven advisory messages and business intelligence needed to support smallholder farmers.

He warned of a difficult agricultural outlook in 2026, projecting high food inflation and rising prices, but noted that primary producers could benefit if properly guided.

According to him, the initiative is focused on ensuring that farmers make informed decisions on planting, input use and market engagement.

Unogwu noted that the training was guidance based on forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which predicts a possible three-week dry spell between July and August. 

He therefore urged participants to educate farmers on delayed planting and the adoption of early-maturing crop varieties to avoid losses.

Unogwu stressed that farmers who plant immediately at the onset of rains risk losing crops to dry spells, urging extension agents to promote short-duration seeds such as 60-day maize and millet varieties.

“Information must get to the farmers in their local languages. Timely advisory can prevent massive losses and improve yields,” he said.

Meanwhile, the bootcamp also introduced digital solutions, including an AI-powered FarmerChat platform for real-time advisory, as well as climate financing options and climate-smart agricultural practices aimed at improving resilience among smallholder farmers.

Participants were further trained on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, including the production of zinc-fortified rice to combat malnutrition in vulnerable communities.

The AgDEG boss said the training would strengthen community-level advisory systems, improve productivity and enhance market access for smallholder farmers in Benue and beyond.