Project Summary
The GAERS project aims to train smallholder farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria, in the development and use of natural fertilisers. In thisregion over 87.73% of the population lives below the poverty line and agriculture is affected by high production costs and insufficient government support. Ten selected farmers (five men and five women) are to learn how to produce natural fertilisers and pesticides from local resources. They will be supported by volunteers, who will disseminate the knowledge in the region. The aim is to reduce dependence on expensive chemical fertilisers, increase soil fertility and thus improve yields. The farmers learn how to use microorganisms and biological methods to improve the soil through online and face-to-face training. The project, which is to be financed with just €1,000, promotes sustainable agriculture, reduces environmental damage and aims to improve food security in the long term.
Project Manager
Country
Nigeria
Status
Ongoing
Budget
1000 €
Links
Partners
Yerlanda FarmLab
Project goals
10 farmers and 10 extenionists (agricultural advisors) are trained in the production of natural fertilisers and bio-pesticides and receive the knowledge to apply environmentally friendly practices.
Training the 20 participants in the technology of soil-improving microbes (SIM) to improve soil fertility, increase water retention and sustainably increase crop productivity.
Establish a community laboratory to provide additional farmers and extension workers with ongoing access to educational resources and training on sustainable farming practices.
Guiding farmers in the effective application of their new skills on their farms, with consistent monitoring and support from trained advisors.
Rukayya Mahe had attended several of our courses and workshops in the last years and ultimately became a Community Manager of our Action Network Worldwide networking and learning platform. In 2020, Rukayya earned her master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, where she focused on agricultural and food policy, particularly in the area of food safety. Before coming for this studies to Germany, she worked as a banker at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc for eight years.
While serving as a research assistant at the University of Hohenheim, Rukayya contributed to projects related to trade and agricultural value chains in the ECOWAS region. This experience motivated her to pursue project management training at the Weltweit Summer Academy in 2021. Inspired by her current work with Weltweit e.V. as an Equal Opportunities Manager, she founded the Global Agricultural Extension and Rural Services (GAERS), a social entrepreneurship initiative. GAERS aims to enhance the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of agricultural extension services in Nigeria by addressing farmers’ needs and leveraging digital technology to promote sustainable agricultural development.
The GAERS training initiative aims to empower smallholder farmers in Sokoto State, Nigeria, with the knowledge and resources to adopt sustainable, eco-friendly farming practices. Agriculture plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, yet farmers—particularly smallholders, who comprise 88% of the farming population—face numerous challenges that threaten their productivity and livelihoods. With over 72% of these farmers living below the poverty line, they struggle with high production costs, unsustainable pesticide use, limited market access, and degraded land quality. Sokoto State is especially impacted, with over 87.73% of its population below the poverty line (World Bank, 2022), and a dependency on costly chemical inputs that diminishes agricultural productivity and increases food insecurity.
To address these challenges, GAERS’ training program will focus on promoting safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable alternatives to harmful pesticides, including Atrazine, Glyphosate, and Dichlorvos, which are banned or restricted in many countries due to health and environmental hazards. Smallholder farmers will be trained in integrated pest management (IPM), organic pesticide development, and bio-based pest control methods. These practices are designed to reduce chemical contamination of soil and water, enhance biodiversity, and improve long-term crop yields.
Farmers will also be educated on sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, intercropping, and using natural fertilizers, to further improve soil health and resilience.
Through extension services, and farmer online training sessions, GAERS aims to equip farmers with actionable knowledge to:
- Reduce reliance on expensive and hazardous chemicals, cutting production costs and improving profit margins.
- Increase crop resilience and yield through natural fertilizers and microbial soil health enhancers.
- Minimize health risks and environmental impacts associated with conventional pesticides.
This initiative is expected to improve food security, promote economic resilience, and establish a replicable model for sustainable agriculture that can be scaled across Nigeria.
