In late September 2023, under the AGRA-Niger project, Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Nigeria (SAA-Nigeria) held a series of Green Field Days across various local governments in Niger State, Nigeria, namely, Kampala, Gbaita, Kuchita, and Kangi Makun, spanning the Bosso, Paikoro, and Bida. The primary objective was to showcase and promote the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and improved technologies.

The green field days were conducted around SAA demonstration plots featuring improved varieties such as maize (SAMAZ 1510), soybean (Tax1440-2E), rice (Faro44), and cowpea (SAMPEA 11). The field days were interactive and educative, attended by farmers, traditional leaders and local government officials.

Farmers acknowledged the benefits, particularly noting the value of using inoculants on soybeans. The straightforward transplanting method for rice also garnered attention for its management simplicity and potential to boost yields. Female farmers were particularly interested in learning how soybeans can be processed and used, and they also expressed their need for threshers, seeing them as a means to mitigate harvesting costs and labour and postharvest losses.

Overall, the green field days were successful, with a considerable number of farmers participating and gaining insights. These days allowed them to learn and familiarize themselves with the new farming technologies, improve their knowledge of Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs), and interact with various stakeholders. 

This initiative is part of SAA Nigeria’s broader effort under the AGRA-Niger consortium project for Improving farmers' resilience and upscaling productivity, incomes, and livelihood across rice, maize, soybean, cowpea, and vegetable value chains in Niger State, Nigeria.

Retrieved from SAA E-Newsletter, issued in December 2023 with Focus on 2023 Highlights

By Moses Nongoatse
Communication Officer,
Sasakawa Africa Association Nigeria.

For more information
Contact: Communication Officer, Sasakawa Africa Association- Nigeria
No.8 Kura Road, Off Magajin Rumfa Road, Nassarawa GRA PO Box 5190, Kano, Nigeria.
Email: mnongoatse@saa-safe.org, Phone: +234-806-65763542.