Eyitayo Raji is a graduate of Agricultural Science from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. Her passion for revolutionising Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been evident since childhood. It was her exposure to the unpleasant plight of farmers that propelled her drive to change their story. This took her across 32 states after graduation, engaging smallholder farmers – farmers who operate less than two hectares (about five acres of land)), on how to add value to their produce and improve their yields. In this interview with GBENGA AKINFENWA, Raji, a proud member of both the Association of Agricultural Consultants Society of America and the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, spoke on her success story, challenges facing the sector and how to mitigate these challenges for better productivity.

What really inspired you to pursue a career in agriculture?
While I was in secondary school, I usually accompany my father who is a professional plant breeder and Associate Professor of Plant Science on his regular Saturday farm inspections. It was during these visits that I encountered the daily struggles faced by farmers.

I noticed that most of the farmers we saw lived below the poverty line and could not even afford to send their kids to school, yet they work so hard. I once asked my father if there isn’t a way their plight could be changed.

According to a research by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, Africa accounts for over 75 per cent of the global production of Cocoa, yet it gets barely two per cent of US$100b market for chocolate, same situation is what is obtainable for other crops. Farmers get the lowest percentage of the consumer value of food.

Due to my determination to shift this imbalance, I began my career after graduation by working across 32 states in Nigeria, engaging smallholder farmers on how to add value to their produce and improve their yields, ultimately enhancing their incomes and livelihoods.

My drive led me to join Saroafrica International, a leading agribusiness company, where I led a major initiative to train over 20,000 smallholder farmers on pricing strategies and good agronomic practices, such as proper pesticide use and the adoption of improved seed varieties.

My focus on cocoa farming where over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s farmers operate led to collaborations that promoted Fairtrade practices. I coordinated training sessions aimed at helping farmers adopt sustainable farming methods and connect to higher-value markets. Given that Nigeria ranks among the top three cocoa-producing countries globally, this work was critical.

My influence extended beyond Nigeria, I am a member of both the Association of Agricultural Consultants Society of America and the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, reflecting my international reach and recognition.

You’ve worked with over 20,000 smallholder farmers, what are the main challenges currently facing them?
Some challenges are crop-specific, while others cut across board. For cocoa farmers, the average tree is 40–45 years old past its prime. Many farms are inherited with outdated practices. There’s misuse of pesticides, lack of access to credit, poor post-harvest handling, and more.

Across Nigeria, insecurity is a major issue; over 78,000 farmers in the North have abandoned their farmlands due to violence from insurgents and bandits. Additionally, outdated tools like hoes and cutlasses are still been used, and many farmers lack the documentation to access formal credit. Selective adoption of improved methods is another barrier.

How can stakeholders like government, Non-governmental Organisations, and the private sector work together to support smallholder farmers?
The government can improve land acquisition policies by reforming the land tenure system, and also break down gender barriers so that more women can own land.

Tech companies can provide real-time data on crop planning, pricing, and market forecasting. NGOs can partner with the government to fund grant programmes and provide extension services. During my time at Saroafrica, I trained extension agents who later worked with over 20,000 farmers.

We need more public-private partnerships that link producers to processors and marketers. Some of Nigeria’s most successful agricultural models have been built around industry clusters, especially in rice and cereals.

What solutions have proven most effective in increasing farmers’ yields and incomes?
Good agronomic practices, access to hybrid seeds, correct use of inputs, and access to pricing information have shown to increase yields. Value addition—like providing drying machines and aggregating produce for bulk pricing also boosts income. Subsidising inputs can significantly improve profit margins.

What impact is technology making in the activities of smallholder farmers?
Tech is a game-changer. Precision agriculture, drones, sensors, IoT devices, and GPS can all improve efficiency. For example, sensors can monitor soil health and crop growth, allowing farmers to apply water or fertiliser only where needed, minimising waste and maximising output. Solar-powered irrigation and affordable equipment rentals are also improving access to modern tools.

Can you share a success story that reflects the impact of your intervention?
In Cross River, I trained over 5,000 cocoa farmers on good agronomic practices, leveraging using demonstration plots. We showed side-by-side comparisons between traditional methods and improved techniques. By the end of the programme, 84 per cent of farmers reported yield increases of over 60 per cent as reported by the FCDO UK office monitoring and evaluation team. One farmer was so successful that he was able to buy a car for the first time in his life.

Another memorable impact story took place in Mokwa, Niger State where I had traveled to engage community leaders on a potential partnership to train young people—aged 18 to 45—in agribusiness, crop production, and other aspects of agriculture. The programme was designed to run for 18 months, with selected participants receiving grants upon completion.

During my visit, I requested to meet the nominated participants, and it became immediately clear that only men had been selected. I took that moment to emphasise the importance of gender inclusion and explained that the participation of women was a key criterion for the community’s eligibility in the training programme.

This conversation prompted the leaders to revise their list, and they ultimately nominated women to make up 20 per cent of the participants. I was proud to have encouraged that mindset shift. It felt like a meaningful step toward embedding gender inclusivity in their agricultural development efforts.

When my supervisor visited, the farmer proudly pointed to his new vehicle and credited the training. That story still warms my heart.

What lessons can other countries learn from your work in Nigeria?
That impact happens when we treat farmers not just as beneficiaries but as partners. Combining grassroots training, accessible technology, gender inclusion, and strong public-private collaboration creates sustainable, scalable results.