In many rural communities across Nigeria, farming is more than just a livelihood; it’s a way of life handed down through generations. Yet for too long, smallholder farmers have remained disconnected from the systems, technologies, and markets that could unlock their potential and improve their lives. What they needed wasn’t just funding or handouts, but someone who understood their struggles, spoke their language, and could walk hand-in-hand with them into a new era of agricultural prosperity.
That someone, for the people of Taura in Jigawa State—and increasingly, beyond—is Alhaji Garba Ubale.
A retired Customs officer turned agribusiness champion, Garba didn’t just stumble into agriculture or his impact, today. His story is one of reinvention, vision, and trust—built not only on what he sells, but on what he shares: knowledge, access, and a deep belief in the power of connection and community.
Through the support of the Foundation, Garba’s work at the Farmers’ Hub has become a living proof that rural progress doesn’t always begin in boardrooms or policy briefs. Sometimes, it starts with one man, a phone full of contacts, and a community willing to believe that farming can, indeed, be a profitable business.
“I used to work with Nigerian Customs,” Garba explains, “but after I retired, my mind was set on farming alone. I’ve been into agri-business for about 15 years now, but things really changed for me two years ago when I met The Foundation.”
That meeting, he says, opened doors that were once unimaginable.
“The Foundation brought us progress—in farming, in business, and in access to essential farming inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, and high-quality seed varieties,” he shares. “They connected us with seed companies and highly-placed agri-experts who really know what they’re doing. These experts teach us profitable and effective farming techniques, and because of that, we are finally making the kind of profit farmers ought to be making.”
Garba’s Farmers’ Hub has grown into a trusted rallying point for locals in the region, a place where smallholder farmers gather for both guidance and goods. From seeds to solar-powered irrigation pumps, Garba has become a reliable link between farmers and suppliers.
“Just recently,” he says, with a glint of pride, “I sold a solar water pump worth one million, five hundred thousand naira to one farmer. And I’ve sold seeds—like sorghum, cowpea, maize, and millet—worth over five hundred million naira.”
His reach extends well beyond the borders of Taura. “There was a man from Jos who sent me six million naira for rice seeds. He didn’t know me personally, but he trusted the system [that I have built to help farmers]. I got the seeds, sent them over, and today he’s planted up to fifty hectares of rice. He was [also] so pleased with the yield,” Garba recounts.
“And he’s not the only one. About ten others from Jos have done the same thing through me. People from different communities and even different states now benefit from what we’re doing here.”
What makes this impact even more significant is Garba’s role as both a seller and facilitator. “When a farmer doesn’t know where to find what he needs, I gather them here at the Hub. I showcase everything we have to offer. If it’s seeds they need, I help them contact the right seed companies. They send me the money; I compile it and send it to the suppliers, who then send back the goods, which I distribute upon arrival.”
But perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of Garba’s journey is how his work with the Foundation has changed him.
“The Foundation has helped me a lot—a lot, a lot,” he says emphatically. “They’ve enlightened me and connected me with agribusiness experts who taught me how to do business the digital way, not the local, analogue way. Now I’m making contacts, building friendships, expanding my network. People know me.”
He pauses, and with emotion in his voice adds, “I can’t thank The Foundation enough, not even with words. But I will continue to pray for them—to keep empowering smallholder farmers, to scale new heights, to bless humanity. Because I know what they’ve done for me. I’ve gained so much—money, knowledge, connections. I’m enjoying this, and I’m very grateful.”
Through Garba Ubale and the Farmers’ Hub in Taura, the Foundation is not only transforming individual lives but also building bridges of trust and access that empower farmers across rural Nigeria to thrive in agriculture like never before.