The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS) conducted a comprehensive needs assessment involving 360 smallholder farmers, drawn from 16 farmer groups, as well as 10 key agricultural stakeholders across seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the northern region of Bauchi State.
The assessment revealed significant gaps in climate adaptation strategies, yield optimisation practices, access to agricultural extension services, and the availability of high-quality inputs. Findings further underscored the central role of women and youth, who collectively represent more than 60 per cent of the population, in advancing inclusive agricultural growth, strengthening community resilience, and enhancing regional food systems. This observation aligns with broader evidence indicating that smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face systemic barriers that limit productivity gains and adaptive capacity, particularly under changing climatic conditions (FAO, 2021).

The results of this study highlight critical entry points for targeted interventions designed to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen adaptive capacity, and improve household livelihoods. Such interventions have the potential to contribute not only to local food security but also to broader regional development objectives