By: Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to national food security with the training of over 800 farmers in Nsukka, Enugu State, on modern agricultural techniques and market access strategies.

The three-day training, held under the Foundation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, is part of efforts to support the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Speaking at the event, Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said the programme was aimed at promoting food security, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. Arukwe, represented by Deputy Manager for Education and Healthcare Programmes, Mrs Goodnews Willie, said the initiative aligns with national priorities and is targeted at enhancing productivity among vulnerable farmers.

“This training is a testament to our unwavering commitment to food security, economic empowerment, and national development,” Arukwe said.

The cited the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé Report, which estimates that 31.5 million Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones are currently food insecure. This, she said, underscores the urgency for sustainable agricultural interventions.

“Many farmers remain trapped in subsistence-level production due to limited access to modern techniques, quality inputs, and competitive markets. This training is designed to change that narrative,” she said.

She added that the Foundation plans to train 6,000 vulnerable farmers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones in climate-resilient farming methods, soil and water management, organic fertilisation, and strategies to reduce post-harvest losses.

“Our goal is to equip every participant with the tools, knowledge, and resources to transition from subsistence farming to commercial-scale production,” she said.

Declaring the training open, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, commended the NNPC Foundation for its timely intervention.

“This programme is a critical opportunity to equip smallholder farmers with modern agricultural skills. By focusing on climate-smart agriculture, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a sustainable future for farming communities,” Ubru said.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to prioritising agriculture as a key pillar of development and pledged continued support for initiatives that empower farmers and promote food security.

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Also speaking, Professor Michael Uguru of the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, one of the resource persons, said the farmers were trained on techniques that are adaptable and suited to the prevailing climatic conditions in the region.

“The training focused on climate-smart agriculture — the best methods to adopt under changing climate conditions for increased productivity and reduced waste,” he said.

One of the participants, Dorothy Ugwu, expressed appreciation to the NNPC Foundation for the opportunity, noting that the knowledge gained would significantly improve her farming outcomes.

“This training came at the right time as the farming season begins. I’ve learnt so much, and I plan to teach other farmers in my area what we were taught,” she said.