The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has trained 100 beneficiaries in Nasarawa State with practical skills aimed at improving food production, promoting environmental sustainability and creating income-generating opportunities.
The three-day intensive training on climate-smart agriculture was held in Agwan Doka 2 community, Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Speaking during the training, the Programmes Manager at GIFSEP, Joseph Ibrahim, said the initiative was implemented under the Waste to Wealth project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.
Ibrahim explained that the programme focuses on sack farming, compost production and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming as sustainable approaches to agriculture and waste management.
He said the training forms part of the Waste to Wealth: Harnessing Biowaste Value for Enhancing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Livelihoods project.
“The programme trained 100 beneficiaries and is aimed at improving local food production, promoting environmental sustainability, and strengthening income-generating skills.
“Over the three days, participants were trained in sack farming, compost production and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming, three climate-smart agricultural methods that help households grow food in small spaces, recycle organic waste and produce affordable, high-quality livestock feed.
“The programme equipped many women and young people with practical skills to convert household waste into food and income, contributing to improved food security and sustainable living,” Ibrahim said.
Changing Farming Reality
Some of the participants expressed gratitude for the training and the skills acquired.
One of the beneficiaries, Azenda Aondover, said the training changed his perception of farming.
“I used to think that farmers needed a large piece of land to farm, but the training has opened my eyes to growing more food using sacks in my compound.
“This newfound knowledge has given me the confidence to start my own sack farming project, even with the limited space I have in my backyard,” he said.
Aondover added that the practical sessions were very informative, covering topics such as the selection of appropriate planting media, stacking techniques for maximum space utilisation, and the cultivation of high-yield crops such as vegetables and tubers.
“The focus was on ensuring that even those with limited space could achieve bountiful harvests right in their backyards. I was particularly impressed with the emphasis on using locally available materials to create a sustainable farming system.
“The training also covered compost production, which was a new concept to me. I learned how to transform organic kitchen waste, animal waste and garden waste into nutrient-rich organic fertiliser,” he added.
Another beneficiary, Halima Egbonu, also expressed appreciation for the training.
“This training has given me the skills to grow my own food and earn a living from it.
“The hands-on approach to learning made it easy to understand and apply the techniques. I am excited to start producing my own compost and using it to improve the fertility of my sack farm,” she said.
The Waste to Wealth project aims to enhance climate-smart agriculture and promote sustainable livelihoods in the community, with the training described as a significant step towards achieving these objectives.