NNPC Foundation Flags-Off Training Programme For FCT Farmers To Tackle Food Insecurity
The NNPC Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has launched a farmers’ training programme in Abuja aimed at curbing food insecurity and reducing dependence on food imports.
The scheme, which targets 6,000 vulnerable farmers nationwide, officially kicked off in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Friday.
According to the Foundation’s Managing Director, Emmanuella Arukwe, the initiative is part of a broader plan to boost agricultural productivity across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“The programme is designed to provide farmers with the right skills and knowledge in modern agricultural practices. By doing so, we are not only addressing food insecurity but also helping farming households to transition from subsistence to commercial production,” Arukwe said.
She explained that the training commenced earlier this year in the southern zones and has now progressed to the northern region, beginning with the North Central states.
Farmers from Kogi, Kwara, and Benue have already benefitted before the FCT session.
Arukwe noted that the Foundation decided to intervene after observing persistent challenges in the sector, such as poor access to improved seedlings, low yields, inadequate tools, marketing bottlenecks, and the growing impact of climate change.
“Rather than offering temporary food aid, our approach is to build lasting solutions by equipping farmers with the capacity to increase yield, farm all year round, and strengthen the resilience of their communities,” she said.
The NNPC Foundation boss added that the impact of the training would extend beyond the individual farmers to their families and communities, with the potential to stimulate local economies and open up opportunities for food exports.
On his part, the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Food Services in the FCT, Ibrahim Yaro, lauded the initiative, stressing that agriculture remains central to solving Nigeria’s social and economic problems.
“Food security should dominate our national conversations. Programmes like this are important because most of our farmers—nearly 75 percent—still operate at the subsistence level,” Yaro observed.
While commending the Foundation, he cautioned beneficiaries to apply the knowledge and resources provided responsibly.
“Don’t misuse the starter packs you will receive. They should be used to grow your farms and livelihoods, not for frivolous ventures,” he warned.
Yaro also disclosed that food output in the FCT has been improving, which has contributed to a gradual drop in prices, but insisted that more sustained interventions are still required to keep the trend steady.
The farmers’ training initiative is expected to roll out in other parts of the northern geopolitical zones in the coming weeks as NNPC Foundation intensifies its drive to strengthen Nigeria’s food production system.
NNPC Foundation Flags-Off Training Programme For FCT Farmers To Tackle Food Insecurity is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
