Agriculture is the main economic activity in Nigeria but productivity has declined in recent decades, making Nigeria a major food importer. The government initiated the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2012 to address issues of poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment through agriculture-led economic growth. The document outlines a sorghum outreach program that conducted demonstrations of new technologies and varieties, trained farmers and youth in seed production, processing, and marketing to promote sorghum value chains and entrepreneurship. Evaluations found the program successfully collaborated with stakeholders to test and disseminate technologies while creating economic opportunities.

1. Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the majority of households in Ni-
geria. However, agricultural productivity for food and its contributions to
national income has been on the decline in the last 3 decades. Nigeria is
currently one of the four leading food importing countries in the world.
The high rate of poverty, food insecurity and youth unemployment in Ni-
geria presents an opportunity for agriculture led economic growth which
can secure a prosperous future for some of the country’s poorest people.
The opportunities that are inherent in the agricultural sector prompted
the Government of Nigeria (GON) to initiate the Agricultural Transforma-
tion Agenda (ATA) in 2012.
• baCkground
• To identify and promote science-based solutions for cassava, rice and
sorghum value chains through technology verification, production and
diffusion of quality seed and planting material underpinned by sound
seed systems
• To enhance skills acquisition and hence job creation through the deve-
lopment of agribusiness, processing and marketing, and the promotion
of youth entrepreneurship.
• objeCtives
Component 1: Technology verification and extension with activities on
(1) Technology verification, (2) seed systems, planting material production
and diffusion
Component 2: Skills development with activities on (1) agribusiness de-
velopment, (2) processing and marketing, and (3) promotion of youth en-
trepreneurship in agriculture.
Component 3: Project management.
• metHodology
• 87 demonstrations were deployed to 18 communities within seven
Local Government Areas (LGAS) across Kano-Jigawa and Sokoto-Kebbi
SCPZs
• 7 participatory technology evaluation were carried out across 2 SCPZ.
Results led to recommendation of release of 2 new sorghum varieties
• Mid season evaluation of 87 demonstrations across the 2 SCPZs were
also conducted by group of scientists and farmer organizations during
the field visit
• 39 women and 11 men lead farmers and out-growers were trained in
sorghum seed production technologies.
• 117 men and 81 women youth participants from 100 youth and
women groups in the 2 SCPZs attended the training on use of small and
medium scale machines
• Agreement were signed with Business partners to facilitate the supply
of 20,000 metric tons of sorghum in 2016
• 2 trainings attended by 98 youth and women processors (62 men and
36 women) where conducted on technologies to reduce post-harvest
losses of sorghum
• 2 Trainings and demonstration were conducted on the use and main-
tenance of hammer mill and hammer mill with the cyclone to 100
youth and women groups in the 2 SCPZs.
• results and main aCHievements • Current and PartnersHis future
engagements for out sCaling
Opportunities exist for high impact
• High Industrial demand
• Market opportunities
• Available technologies
• Interest by Opinion leaders
• Political support.
• ConClusions
The project is collaborating with a whole lots of stakeholders and business
interest to ensure success and sustainability.
Research
ARCN, IAR ABU Zaria, NCAM, NSPRI, LCRI, NAERLS, CDA BUK, UDUS, IITA,
AfricaRice
Commercial
Seed companies, Processing comp., Fabricators
Inputoutput Mkt
Development
WAAPP, WASP, State ADPs, CRS, WOFAN, GSARDI, IFAD-CBARDP, LGAs,
Media
PolicyRegulatory
FMARD, NASC, State Ministry.
Nigeria Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program-1:
Sorghum Outreach Program
Hakeem A. Ajeigbe and Ignatius Angarawai
International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Kano Station, Kano Nigeria
Corresponding author email: h.ajeigbe@cgiar.org
Partnerships:
Dr G. Tarawali IITA
Dr R. Okechwukwu (IITA)
Dr P. Idinoba (AfricaRice
Eng H Akwashiki (FMARD)
Prof D. Aba (IAR)
Dr Teddy Ngu (Honeywell Groups)
Mr Sadiq Usman (Nigeria Flour Mills).