PHOTOS: NNPC Foundation trains vulnerable farmers in climate-resilient agriculture

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has launched an agricultural training initiative, targeting 6,000 vulnerable farmers across the country.

The initiative, which kicked off on Monday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, aims to equip farmers with modern, climate-resilient agricultural skills.

The training would be implemented in two phases: the first phase will cover south-east, south-south, and south-west geopolitical zones, while the second phase will target the north-central, north-west, and north-east.

Speaking at the training in Enugu on Tuesday, Emmanuella Arukwe, the managing director of NNPC Foundation, said the initiative is part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting national priorities, particularly the federal government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Represented by Goodnews Willie, deputy manager, education and healthcare programmes, Arukwe said the programme is designed to tackle the growing threat of food insecurity, which she said currently affects an estimated 31.5 million Nigerians, according to the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé Report.

“These statistics underscore the urgent need for sustainable agricultural interventions that not only boost productivity but also build resilience against climate change, supply chain disruptions, and economic fluctuations,” Arukwe said.

“At NNPC Ltd., we recognise that agriculture remains the primary livelihood for over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population — National Bureau of Statistics, 2024.

“Yet, many farmers remain trapped in subsistence-level production due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and competitive markets. This training is designed to change that narrative.

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

Arukwe added that the training would equip participants with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to transition from subsistence farming to commercial-scale production.

On Monday, the foundation launched a free cataract screening and extraction programme in Bayelsa.

The medical screening, which will also take place across the six geopolitical zones, is intended to “arrest prevalent vision impairment and blindness across the country caused by cataract”.

“This step is in addition to the several healthcare initiatives NNPC Foundation has undertaken in the past two years, including a pilot eye screening and treatment for glaucoma for over 290 persons in Abuja, free cancer screening and counselling for about 3,440 individuals across the six geopolitical zones of the country, and medical outreach for treatment of non-communicable diseases and distribution of medical consumables to up to 450 persons in Garki village, Abuja,” Arukwe said.