By Khalid Idris Doya The Catalysing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE), in collaboration with Seed Co Ni...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The Catalysing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience (CASCADE), in collaboration with Seed Co Nigeria, has empowered women farmers in Bauchi State with modern soybean farming techniques, improved nutrition knowledge, and sustainable agricultural practices.
The initiative aims to promote quality soybean seed production, enhance women's participation in agriculture, and improve household nutrition across the state.
Speaking at the Mega Brown Soybean Field Day in Bauchi yesterday, John Agboola, Head of Marketing at Seed Co Nigeria, highlighted the successes of women farmers participating in the program.
"This initiative began three to four months ago, targeting women farmers across Bauchi, Jigawa, Kebbi, and other Northern Nigerian states. Through this project, women received improved soybean seeds and essential farming inputs to boost productivity," he said.
Agboola emphasised that the program goes beyond input provision, saying farmers received extensive training in Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), equipping them with knowledge and skills from planting to harvest.
"After the training, the women applied these practices in their fields, with ongoing support from agronomic guidance and extension services. They learned proper fertiliser application, weeding, and field management to maximise yield.”
The results, he noted, have been impressive: "On just one acre, many women are now harvesting between 10 and 15 bags of soybeans. This outcome not only boosts productivity but also enhances household nutrition and livelihoods."
The initiative also teaches women how to process soybeans into soy milk, flour, and other nutritious products, improving dietary protein intake for children and lactating mothers.
"This field day celebrates their hard work and achievements. The improved soybean variety planted this season shows remarkable pod yields compared to local varieties," Agboola added.
"We expect these women to continue applying modern agronomic practices and to share their knowledge within their communities, creating a ripple effect that empowers even more women," he urged.
He also encouraged women to see soybean production as a source of income, food security, and soil fertility, highlighting practices such as value addition, storage, and community seed-saving initiatives.
Helen S. Sarki Chiroma, Head of Women in Agriculture at BSADP, praised the CASCADE initiative for its interventions across ten local government areas. She noted that women farmers have gained improved knowledge, access to quality inputs, and better farming practices, contributing to higher yields and stronger livelihoods.
"Soybean is a high-value crop with immense market potential, surpassing rice and maize in profitability. Industries use it for oil, animal feed, and poultry production. Beyond income, we encourage women to incorporate soybeans into their daily meals to improve household nutrition," Chiroma said.
Beneficiaries, including Sadiya Haruna Mohammed of Tsohon Kamfani and Hauwau Mohammed, expressed satisfaction with the program. They praised the training and access to fertiliser, which significantly increased their soybean production compared to previous years.
Agboola noted that the CASCADE project, sponsored by CARE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and in collaboration with Seed Co Nigeria, continues to serve as a model for empowering women in agriculture, enhancing household nutrition, and promoting sustainable farming practices across Northern Nigeria.
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