Bauchi: No fewer than 21 agricultural extension officers from Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano States have benefited from intensive training on Decision Support Tools (DSTs). DSTs is a technology designed to improve soil fertility management and optimise agricultural yields. The training exercise is being implemented by the Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK), with support from the IFDC Soil Values programme.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Dahiru Wakili-Habib, a Researcher and Soil Specialist at CDA, noted in an interview that the training was conducted in Bauchi from November 29 to November 30. Wakili-Habib emphasized that digital tools support farmers at every stage of their work, from planting through to harvest. He highlighted that DSTs limit the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, thus reducing environmental risks like runoff into water bodies or soil salinization.
Wakili-Habib pointed out that one particular application presented during the training, which offers nutrient recommendations for rice, caught the participants’ attention. This application helps in tailoring fertilizer inputs to the plants’ actual needs, avoiding uniform practices that can be detrimental. To ensure the effective dissemination of this knowledge, iPads were distributed to the extension agents so they can replicate the training in their communities.
Muhammad Tukur-Musa, a young professional involved with the IFDC – Soil Values programme, discussed the initiative as part of a broader strategy to restore degraded lands across the Sahel. The programme focuses on three main pillars: agroecology, inclusive markets, and an enabling environment, aiming to strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate-related challenges.
Participants such as Idris Ibrahim, an extension officer from Bauchi, expressed that the integration of technology is crucial for modern agricultural practices to enhance productivity. Esther Abba from Tafawa Balewa further highlighted that these tools would help reduce costs for small-scale producers while minimizing losses.
The Soil Values programme operates amidst climatic and socioeconomic hurdles faced by Sahelian countries, including droughts, sociopolitical conflicts, desertification, and climate change effects. It focuses on improving agricultural land fertility and productivity in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria, aiming to benefit 1.5 million farmers, especially women and youth, by restoring two million hectares of land.
With a budget of 100 million euros, the programme intends to restore degraded lands in the Sahel, targeting 1.5 million smallholder farmers. In Nigeria, the focus is on restoring 800,000 hectares, directly benefiting 600,000 small producers.