Agriculture is the economic mainstay of the majority of households in Ni-

geria. However, agricultural productivity for food and its contributions to

national income has been on the decline in the last 3 decades. Nigeria is

currently one of the four leading food importing countries in the world.

The high rate of poverty, food insecurity and youth unemployment in Ni-

geria presents an opportunity for agriculture led economic growth which

can secure a prosperous future for some of the country’s poorest people.

The opportunities that are inherent in the agricultural sector prompted

the Government of Nigeria (GON) to initiate the Agricultural Transforma-

tion Agenda (ATA) in 2012.

• baCkground

• To identify and promote science-based solutions for cassava, rice and

sorghum value chains through technology verification, production and

diffusion of quality seed and planting material underpinned by sound

seed systems

• To enhance skills acquisition and hence job creation through the deve-

lopment of agribusiness, processing and marketing, and the promotion

of youth entrepreneurship.

• objeCtives

Component 1: Technology verification and extension with activities on

(1) Technology verification, (2) seed systems, planting material production

and diffusion

Component 2: Skills development with activities on (1) agribusiness de-

velopment, (2) processing and marketing, and (3) promotion of youth en-

trepreneurship in agriculture.

Component 3: Project management.

• metHodology

• 87 demonstrations were deployed to 18 communities within seven

Local Government Areas (LGAS) across Kano-Jigawa and Sokoto-Kebbi

SCPZs

• 7 participatory technology evaluation were carried out across 2 SCPZ.

Results led to recommendation of release of 2 new sorghum varieties

• Mid season evaluation of 87 demonstrations across the 2 SCPZs were

also conducted by group of scientists and farmer organizations during

the field visit

• 39 women and 11 men lead farmers and out-growers were trained in

sorghum seed production technologies.

• 117 men and 81 women youth participants from 100 youth and

women groups in the 2 SCPZs attended the training on use of small and

medium scale machines

• Agreement were signed with Business partners to facilitate the supply

of 20,000 metric tons of sorghum in 2016

• 2 trainings attended by 98 youth and women processors (62 men and

36 women) where conducted on technologies to reduce post-harvest

losses of sorghum

• 2 Trainings and demonstration were conducted on the use and main-

tenance of hammer mill and hammer mill with the cyclone to 100

youth and women groups in the 2 SCPZs.

• results and main aCHievements • Current and PartnersHis future

engagements for out sCaling

Opportunities exist for high impact

• High Industrial demand

• Market opportunities

• Available technologies

• Interest by Opinion leaders

• Political support.

• ConClusions

The project is collaborating with a whole lots of stakeholders and business

interest to ensure success and sustainability.

Research

ARCN, IAR ABU Zaria, NCAM, NSPRI, LCRI, NAERLS, CDA BUK, UDUS, IITA,

AfricaRice

Commercial

Seed companies, Processing comp., Fabricators

Input\output Mkt

Development

WAAPP, WASP, State ADPs, CRS, WOFAN, GSARDI, IFAD-CBARDP, LGAs,

Media

Policy\Regulatory

FMARD, NASC, State Ministry.

Nigeria Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program-1:

Sorghum Outreach Program

Hakeem A. Ajeigbe and Ignatius Angarawai

International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Kano Station, Kano Nigeria

Corresponding author email: h.ajeigbe@cgiar.org

Partnerships:

Dr G. Tarawali IITA

Dr R. Okechwukwu (IITA)

Dr P. Idinoba (AfricaRice

Eng H Akwashiki (FMARD)

Prof D. Aba (IAR)

Dr Teddy Ngu (Honeywell Groups)

Mr Sadiq Usman (Nigeria Flour Mills).