Agriculture
IWMI: Promoting affordable irrigation technologies for smallholder farmers
Mariam Sanni
Smallholder farmers are challenged with erratic rainfall leading to drought spells, crop water stress and eventually reduced growth and yield penalties
Water insecurity is the major risk to smallholder farmers and a major driver for low investments in agricultural innovations
Even when water resources are sustainably available, smallholder farmers are unable to invest in irrigation equipment due to high upfront costs.
Smallholder farmers have limited access to loans and credit facilities even though irrigation usually is a profitable investment.
Promoting affordable irrigation for smallholders involves increasing access to low-cost technologies like drip and sprinkler kits and solar pumps, and supporting them with financial tools like subsidies and credit.
Also the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) has helped farmers to independently invest in, manage and maintain irrigation equipment, adapting technologies to local needs without relying on large-scale projects, reduces farmers’ reliance on erratic rainfall and leads to increased farm investments (good seed, fertilizers, etc.)
Farmers move from 1 rain-fed crop, to multiple harvests per year, boosting yields, income, and food security
Nigeria and other countries have high potential for solar-based irrigation, irrespective of the type of water resources.
As part of efforts to boost local capacity to produce and maintain simple, low-cost irrigation, International Water Management Institute, IWMI through multi- stakeholder dialogues, policy support is partnering with stakeholders created an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable irrigation development .
The Researcher , Agricultural Water Solution, IWMI Dr Adebayo Oke during his presentation at the International Conference on Climate Change and Just Energy Transition 2025, highlighted that the institute has foster SMEs’ inclusive scaling of bundled irrigation solutions through inclusive business model development and strategic partnerships
The Conference which was theme: Sustainable Clinate Resilience and Just Energy Transition in Africa: A Collaborative Pathway through Policy, Capacity Building, Research and Inclusion was held in Abuja.
He added that its has deployed an impact accelerator program to develop new bundled solutions and SME collaborations that address multiple value chains
According him, IWMI has attracted sustainable finance investments in SMEs to fast-track the adoption of bundled water solutions by smallholder farmers.
Speaking on experience in Nigeria: scaling solar irrigation solutions –Solar scaling pathway studies (Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi) has stratifying the smallholder farmers using the Discrete Choice Experiment.
He mentioned bundling of irrigation technology and financial services to determine scaling pathway/different financing models.
Dr Oke added they also developed a credit facility to enable the scaling of SPI.
Furthermore, he stated IWMI-West & Central Africa Priorities for 2024-2030 as building resilient agric food system against climate change , leveraging water for resilience in fragile and conflict affected settings, enabling circular water and food economy innovations, supporting water infrastructure and allocation decisions among others .
The Country Director , Ghana and Regional Representatives for West and Central Africa, Professor Kehinde Ogunjobi in an interview with newsmen at the event highlighted the importance of evidence-based data for farmers, aquaculture, and environmental ministries.
He said that there is need to raise awareness and emphasized the importance of government support for research and developmental projects on climate change and its impact on agriculture, livelihood, and other sectors.
Professor Ogunjobi has implored government to build capacity of people working in the field of climate change and capacitate farmers to turn evidence-based data into reality.
He encouraged the government to do more to support research and address the impact of climate change, which is more evident in the West African region compared to developed countries.
He urged stakeholders to collaborate with the government and institutions like IWMI Ghana to improve the impact of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and improve the livelihood of people in the region.
He noted the political shift in the US, with the previous administration no longer supporting climate change initiatives, emphasizing the need for Africa to look inward.
Agriculture
Sakata Seeds Strengthens West Africa Team with Dr. Hadiza Yaro’s Appointment
Joel Ajayi
The former Nigeria Country Manager of East-West Seed, Dr. Hadiza Yaro, has joined Sakata Seeds Nigeria–West Africa Office as Sales Manager for Nigeria and Anglo-West Africa.
In her new role, she will oversee the company’s operations across English-speaking countries in the region, including Togo and the Benin Republic.
Her responsibilities will include servicing existing clients, building new partnerships, and expanding Sakata’s footprint across the continent.
Dr. Yaro holds a PhD in Agronomy and has pursued further studies in Marketing and Food Security across Africa, Europe, and Asia. Announcing her appointment, Vicente Celada, Sakata’s West Africa Director, said: “I am absolutely certain Hadiza will be a great addition to Sakata’s projects in West Africa.”
Over the past decade, Dr. Yaro has established herself as a thought leader, practitioner, and policy advocate in agribusiness.
At East-West Seed, she played a pivotal role in growing the company’s presence in Nigeria while championing smallholder farmers, particularly in Northern Nigeria. She has presented research on the critical role of smallholder farmers in achieving national food security and self-sufficiency.
She also spearheaded several agribusiness fairs and expos that showcased the impact of seed quality on crop yields events that attracted significant media attention. In addition, she worked with governors and state agricultural ministries on strategies to empower smallholder farmers and increase local agricultural output.
A native of Zuru, Kebbi State, Dr. Yaro is widely recognized as an agronomist and agribusiness expert. She is expected to bring the same expertise and innovation to her new role at Sakata Seeds.
Sakata Seed is a global company engaged in the breeding, production, and sale of high-quality vegetable and flower seeds, along with gardening materials and agricultural products. With a strong focus on research and development, Sakata offers a diverse range of horticultural varieties and maintains an extensive international network of offices and research stations.
The company also undertakes related ventures, including landscaping and greenhouse construction, serving both wholesale and retail markets.
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