July 2025 was a month of significant progress and meaningful engagement for the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS). Our teams were active across Nigeria’s agricultural zones, reaffirming our core commitment to proximity, meeting farmers where they are, understanding their challenges, and co-creating tailored, sustainable solutions.
With over 1,100 smallholder farmers directly engaged, the month was marked by a series of impactful events, including farmer training, market access interventions, digital literacy workshops, and targeted gender inclusion programmes. These efforts not only enhanced productivity and resilience but also laid critical groundwork for inclusive value chains and more vibrant rural economies.
Farmer Trainings, Demonstrations and Input Awareness
The month began on a strong note at Erinfun Hub in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where we partnered with the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Tractor Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOPAN), and the Ekiti State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ESACA) project. The focus was on horticultural capacity building, with special attention on breeders and foundation tomato seeds. Led by Mr. Akinfasoye of NIHORT, hundreds of farmers received practical, science-based training on seed selection, nursery techniques, and pest management using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Through guided walkthroughs of greenhouses and field plots, participants observed real pest symptoms and explored practical mitigation strategies.
This event trained 310 farmers (225 men and 85 women) and saw a significant uptake in interest around nursery development and IPM. The feedback affirmed the session as a model for horticulture-focused capacity building in the region.
On July 5 and 15, our teams hosted interactive sessions at Hubs in Yewa North, Ogun State, and Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State. These sessions introduced smallholder farmers to innovative topics such as urban farming and fertiliser application efficiency. In Nasarawa, farmers explored vertical gardening and small-space production, while in Ogun, fertiliser timing and precision were demystified using live demonstrations. A total of 27 farmers participated across both locations, gaining knowledge that could help them adopt climate-smart, input-efficient farming methods.
In Ago-Are, Oyo State, our Sundam Hub partnered with Crop2Cash on July 18 to host a workshop focused on marketing strategies, enterprise development, and value addition. Farmers were guided through exercises on value chain mapping to help them better understand post-harvest strategies and how to identify profitable opportunities in their own operations. Forty-five farmers participated, with many reporting an increased understanding of how to align production with market needs.
Further North, on July 19 and 26, the Foundation collaborated with Bayer SEMINIS at Shika and Pampaida Farmers’ Hubs in Kaduna State. These events brought together farmers from Giwa and Ikara Local Government Areas to learn about vegetable seed varieties, chemical application, proper seed spacing, and agronomic practices. Field demonstrations enabled farmers to compare varietal performance firsthand. A total of 187 farmers participated, including 73 women, with many expressing interest in adopting improved seed varieties through their local Hubs.
At FATOM-SULE Hub in Gboko, Benue State, training sessions were held on July 24 and 28. Farmers were introduced to the benefits of using certified seeds and adopting good agronomic practices. As part of the session, they received quality improved seeds to trial on their farms. The second event welcomed SARO Agrochemical’s regional representative, who met with FSSS Supervisor Mr. Teidi Elijah to discuss direct input supply mechanisms. This marks a potential shift towards a more affordable and efficient agro-input distribution model in the region. Across the two engagements, 147 farmers—67 women and 80 men—were trained and sensitised on input access.
Closing the month, our Odolewu Hub in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, hosted a digital inclusion workshop in partnership with EwekoAggregate, an online marketplace for farm produce. Farmers were trained on how to create and manage accounts, post products, assess demand, and negotiate pricing online. The session concluded with a walkthrough of the onion demo plot transplanted earlier in the month. Forty-three farmers were digitally profiled, increasing their access to real-time markets and further enhancing the link between agronomy and income generation.
Women in Agriculture and Group Empowerment
On July 11, FSSS intensified its gender inclusion efforts with a focused session at the Bunkure Farmers’ Hub in Kano State. In collaboration with the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF) and Al-Raj Agro Enterprises, the Foundation hosted a women’s group dynamics and leadership training. This session equipped 117 women with essential skills in cooperative formation, governance, conflict resolution, and leadership. The aim was to ensure that women are not only active participants in agriculture but also central to decision-making and enterprise growth within their communities. The training bolstered existing cooperatives and encouraged women to take on more prominent roles in agricultural development.
Supervision and Strategic Leadership
On July 10, the Foundation’s Executive Director Dr. Isaiah led a strategic visit to two rice-processing Hubs in Doma and Lafia, Nasarawa State. The working visit focused on reviewing operations, engaging hub managers, and identifying areas for improvement in equipment, logistics, and service delivery. Through candid conversations, the team also addressed communication challenges between Hub leadership and headquarters. The visit culminated in actionable next steps to resolve operational bottlenecks and enhance farmer satisfaction and loyalty.
A Snapshot of Impact
By the close of July, FSSS had engaged 1,126 farmers across eight major activities in seven states. These interventions ranged from technical training and agribusiness workshops to market linkage innovations and digital profiling. Through intentional partnerships with public and private sector actors, we strengthened smallholder systems while laying the foundation for scalable, long-term change.
| Metric | Result |
| Farmers Reached | 1,183 |
| Women Participants | 409 (35%) |
| Training & Demo Events | 13 |
| States Covered | Ekiti, Ogun, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Oyo, Kano |
| Strategic Partners Engaged | NIHORT, TOPAN, SARO, BAYER, AECF, Crop2Cash, EwekoAggregate |
We also made substantial progress in gender inclusion, with over 100 women empowered to lead and organise, and supported the digital onboarding of nearly four dozen farmers to improve access to buyers and boost market competitiveness.
Looking Ahead
In August, our attention shifts toward celebrating and amplifying the role of young people in agriculture, in alignment with International Youth Day on August 12. Our commitment remains steadfast: to build resilient agricultural communities through innovation, collaboration, and consistent presence.
Sustainable agriculture is not built in silos. It is built in communities—through trust, proximity, and shared ambition. And in July, FSSS took bold steps in proving just how powerful that approach can be.