Emir Urges Bauchi Farmers To Adopt Dry-Season Farming For Food Security

Farmers in Bauchi State yesterday showcased climate-resilient agricultural produce and alternative livelihood products as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Food Day.

The event, organised by the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) yesterday, brought together farmers and beneficiaries of the foundation’s interventions across seven local government areas in Bauchi North Senatorial District.

Participants displayed agricultural produce, technologies and products developed through training and livelihood support programmes designed to strengthen food security, improve household incomes and help farmers adapt to climate change.

The Emir of Katagum, Umar Faruq, urged farmers to embrace dry-season farming, warning that dependence on rain-fed agriculture alone could undermine efforts to achieve food security amid changing weather patterns.

The emir, who was represented by the Uban Doma of the emirate, Ummaru Lili Hassan, encouraged farmers to apply the knowledge and technologies acquired through the foundation’s training to increase agricultural production throughout the year.

“Our people are farmers, but I am aware that the training by this group has empowered you with new technologies. So, I call on you to take the training seriously, especially for dry-season farming,” he said.

He added that farmers could no longer depend solely on rainy-season cultivation if they hoped to meet growing food demands.

The emir expressed optimism that adopting improved farming techniques would increase productivity and contribute to sustainable food security in Bauchi State.

The lead brand and communication manager of FSSS, Clinton Inene, said the World Food Day celebration provided an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the foundation’s interventions over the past year.

He explained that the programme covered Katagum, Gamawa, Giade, Itas Gadau, Jama’are, Zaki and Shira local government areas, with a focus on strengthening farmers’ resilience to climate change, improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The project is supported by Heineken Africa Foundation and Nigerian Breweries PLC.

“Today is more like a combination of all the activities that we have been doing for the past one year in Bauchi North. What we have been doing in these local governments is building resilience on the farm and strengthening the livelihood resilience of farmers,” Inene said.

He said the foundation had introduced agroforestry, water-conservation techniques, irrigation systems, fertilisers and drought-resistant seeds to help farmers cope with changing weather conditions.

According to him, agroforestry encourages farmers to grow trees alongside crops to improve soil quality and reduce the impact of adverse weather conditions.

He added that water-conservation techniques would help farmers retain water for use beyond the rainy season, while irrigation systems would enable them to cultivate crops during dry periods.

Inene also disclosed that the foundation organised a farmers’ market where beneficiaries displayed agricultural produce and products from skills acquired through its livelihood support programme.

He said some beneficiaries had diversified into non-farm businesses, including bag production, paint-making, soap production and hairdressing, to generate additional income and reduce their dependence on agriculture.

The FSSS manager stressed that achieving food security required more than increasing agricultural production, noting that access to balanced and nutritious meals was equally important.

He said the foundation was encouraging backyard gardening, fruit-tree cultivation and the rearing of small livestock, including goats, rabbits and chickens, to improve household nutrition and provide additional sources of income.

One of the beneficiaries, Umar Abdulraheem, a rice miller from Gojon Jeji in Jama’are local government area, said the foundation’s support had improved his business and helped him establish a more organised enterprise.

Abdulraheem explained that the foundation provided him with milling machines and constructed a structure for his business, improving his working environment and operations.