Happy New Year!

A new year always arrives with promise, but for me at the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), 2026 arrives with purpose, driven by our desire for a better future for smallholders across Nigeria.

I want you to picture a Nigeria where smallholders no longer farm in survival mode; where access to the right knowledge, quality inputs, and reliable markets transforms agriculture into a dignified and profitable livelihood. This is not wishful thinking. It is the future my team and I are deliberately working to build, one farmer, one hub, and one community at a time.

It’s with joy that I wish to inform you that across the country, that future is already taking shape. Through more than 54 Farmers’ Hubs across 12 states, I see lifelines being extended to over 120,000 farmers. These hubs do far more than distribute inputs. They provide practical training, connect farmers to innovation, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote climate-smart practices that protect both livelihoods and the environment.

The results speak clearly. Farmers who have adopted our digital and sustainable solutions have recorded an average productivity increase of 30 per cent. Beyond the numbers, however, are the real stories: children staying in school, families earning with dignity, and rural communities experiencing renewed economic life. This is the quiet yet powerful ripple effect of empowered agriculture.

The road ahead is not without challenges. Climate uncertainty, limited access to technology, and persistent market gaps continue to test smallholder farmers daily. Still, I do not see these challenges as setbacks but as a call to innovate, collaborate, and scale impact. Every new hub established and every farmer equipped brings us closer to an agricultural sector defined not by struggle but by resilience and growth.

As I introduce this column, ED’s Notes: From the desk of the Executive Director, I invite you into the heart of the work I lead: the lessons learned, the strategies pursued, and the stories shaping our mission. So, wear your helmet, fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the journey. The flight into 2026 has just taken off, and it promises innovation, transformation, and inspiration from every corner of our fields.

Once again, Happy New Year!