NNPC Foundation trains farmers in Nsukka on modern techniques, pledges support for 6,000 nationwide to boost food security and livelihoods

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm the NNPC Foundation has launched a nationwide agricultural training initiative to equip 6,000 vulnerable farmers with modern, climate-smart farming techniques and market access strategies.

The first phase of the programme was rolled out in Nsukka, Enugu State, where farmers from the six local government areas of the Enugu North Senatorial Zone gathered for a three-day training session.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting food security, economic empowerment, and national development.

Represented by Mrs Goodnews Willie, Deputy Manager of Education and Healthcare Programmes, Arukwe said the initiative is in alignment with the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

“This training is a testament to our unwavering commitment to food security, economic empowerment, and national development,” she stated.

“Through this initiative, we will train 6,000 farmers across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria in climate-resilient farming, organic fertilisation, soil and water management, and post-harvest loss reduction.”

Citing the *Cadre Harmonisé* March 2024 report, Arukwe highlighted the pressing need for action, with 31.5 million Nigerians currently facing food insecurity.

She also pointed out that although agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for over 70% of Nigerians, many farmers are still stuck at subsistence level due to limited access to knowledge, modern inputs, and markets.

Declaring the programme open, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, commended the NNPC Foundation for the strategic initiative.

He stressed the importance of climate-smart agriculture in building a resilient agricultural sector in the face of climate change and economic shocks.

“By focusing on climate-smart agriculture, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for our farming communities,” Ubru said.

“With partners in agriculture like the NNPC Foundation, we can transform the agricultural landscape of Enugu and beyond.”

The Commissioner further reiterated Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to making agriculture a central pillar of development in Enugu State.

Prof. Michael Uguru of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and one of the resource persons, explained that the training focused on sustainable techniques tailored to Nigeria’s current climate conditions.

“We taught the farmers practical, scalable, and climate-adapted methods to increase yields and enhance profitability,” he said.

The training in Enugu marks the beginning of a broader national rollout by the NNPC Foundation, aiming to drive agricultural productivity, resilience, and commercial viability among Nigeria’s smallholder farmers.