By Rita Iliya
The Sasakawa Africa Association has organised an integrated training for farmer groups on financial literacy and digital tools in Niger State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)-funded project.
It is titled, “Enhancing the Productivity and Competitiveness of Smallholder Farmers in the Maize-Soybean Farming System in Niger and Kaduna States.”
The training was being conducted in collaboration with Afex Commodities Exchange Limited and Extension Africa.
Mr Isaac Eni, Project Coordinator, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening farmer groups and improving their participation in modern agricultural value chains.
He said the training brought together chairmen and secretaries of farmer groups to equip them with skills in group management, including conflict resolution and group dynamics.
“We are also exposing them to financial and digital literacy so they can see agriculture as a business, access working capital and manage funds effectively,” he said.
Eni noted that smallholder farmers in Nigeria largely operate within informal or semi-structured groups, which serve as entry points for coordination, learning and access to opportunities.
He, however, said farmers were increasingly under pressure to engage with structured agricultural systems, where access to finance, contract farming and digital platforms had become essential.
According to him, adoption of such systems remains low due to limited financial literacy, weak understanding of contractual obligations and low digital capability among farmers.
He added that the challenges were interconnected, as weak group cohesion and lack of trust often hinder farmers’ ability to engage effectively with financial services, contracts and digital tools.
“The training combines governance and leadership development with practical financial literacy, contract farming awareness and digital skills,” he said.
Eni explained that the programme adopts a phased, farmer-centred approach, beginning with strengthening group structures before building farmers’ capacity to participate in financial systems and structured markets.
He said the initiative would position farmer groups as viable economic entities capable of improving productivity, reducing risks and increasing incomes in maize and soybean farming systems.
He added that the training also aims to enhance farmers’ digital literacy for accessing financial services and market information, promote adoption of mobile-based financial services and enable collective marketing through aggregation of produce.
Also speaking, Ms Hilda Garba of Afex Commodities Exchange Limited, said financial inclusion remained a critical driver for enhancing maize and soybean value chains.
She said improving farmers’ financial knowledge would enable them to better manage resources, boost productivity and participate effectively in structured markets. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Ukpoju
