In Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State, Mukhtar Garba, the Farmers’ Hub Manager is championing a quiet but powerful agricultural change—driven by the vision and support of the Foundation, and brought to life through the efforts of or local champion, Mukhtar.
Mukhtar is not just a manager—he is a bridge between innovation and impact, working tirelessly to ensure that local farmers gain access to high-quality farm inputs and vital agricultural knowledge. Under his stewardship, the Dawakin Tofa Farmers’ Hub has become a cornerstone of agricultural transformation in the area.
The hub supplies essential farm products, including certified seed varieties, fertilisers, and agrochemicals. But it offers much more than just products. With the foundation’s backing, the hub has become a centre of learning and empowerment for farmers. “We don’t just sell seeds,” Mukhtar explains. “We train farmers on how to use them effectively, especially which chemicals work best with each variety.”
This approach has already yielded remarkable results. Today, over 1,000 farmers are directly benefiting from the hub’s services, while an impressive 10,000 have patronised it over time. The impact is felt not just in productivity but also in livelihoods and local economies. “By God’s grace, farmers here now use improved seed varieties for tomatoes, maize, and rice—varieties that offer better yield and quality,” says Mukhtar.
The hub works with more than 25 farmer organisations, providing structured trainings that enable knowledge to cascade across communities. Representatives from these groups receive specialised training—particularly in tomato cultivation—and return to share their knowledge with others in their cooperatives and villages. This peer-to-peer model has strengthened community bonds and helped spread modern farming techniques more widely and effectively.
Mukhtar’s own life is a powerful testament to the foundation’s impact. “I have made a lot of progress thanks to the foundation,” he shares. From being an aspiring agro-dealer, he now owns a greenhouse where he grows and harvests various crops. His shop, stocked with fresh produce and farm inputs, stands as a symbol of what is possible when opportunity meets support.
“Without the foundation, I wouldn’t have had the resources to build the greenhouse or the hub. But now, I have two thriving shops—one for selling chemicals and fertilisers, and another for my greenhouse produce,” he says with pride.
What began as a hub has become a movement. The knowledge, products, and opportunities flowing through the hub have reached every corner of Dawakin Tofa LGA. Farmers now have access to the tools and training they need to farm more efficiently and profitably. Yields are improving, incomes are rising, and a renewed sense of hope has taken root.
“We are all grateful to God and to the foundation,” Mukhtar concludes. “They have brought progress not just to me, but to our entire local government. And for that, we’ll always be thankful.”
