The Center for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University Kano (BUK) has sensitized 21 agricultural extension officers from Bauchi, Jigawa, and Kano states on the use of Decision Support Tools (DSTs) to enhance soil fertility management and optimise crop yields.
DSTs are digital technologies designed to guide farmers in making precise decisions at every stage of agricultural production, from planting to harvest. The training, supported by the IFDC Soil Values programme, was held in Bauchi from November 29 to 30.
Dr. Dahiru Wakili-Habib, Researcher and Soil Specialist at CDA, explained that DSTs help farmers reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, minimizing environmental risks such as water runoff and soil salinisation.
“One of the applications that particularly captured the participants’ interest is dedicated to nutrient recommendations for rice,” he said. “It allows farmers to tailor fertilizer inputs to the actual needs of the plants, avoiding uniform practices that can be harmful.”
To encourage adoption, CDA distributed iPads to the extension officers, enabling them to replicate the training and disseminate knowledge within their communities.
Muhammad Tukur-Musa, a young professional with the IFDC Soil Values programme, noted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to restore degraded lands across the Sahel.
“The programme focuses on three pillars: agroecology, inclusive markets, and an enabling environment. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate challenges,” he said.
Participants shared their optimism about the potential of digital tools in agriculture. Idris Ibrahim, an extension officer from Bauchi, remarked, “Agriculture is now a modern practice that requires technological solutions to improve productivity.” Similarly, Esther Abba from Tafawa Balewa highlighted that the tools would help small-scale producers reduce costs and limit losses.
The Soil Values programme addresses the climatic and socioeconomic challenges faced by Sahelian countries, including recurrent droughts, sociopolitical conflicts, desertification, and climate change impacts. Built around three areas of intervention—Agroecology, Inclusive Markets, and Enabling Environment—and five domains of action—Clustering, Integration, Linking, Dialogue, and Analysis & Learning—the initiative aims to improve the fertility and productivity of two million hectares of land across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria.
With a total budget of €100 million, the programme seeks to restore degraded lands while strengthening the resilience and wellbeing of 1.5 million farmers, with particular attention to women and youth. In Nigeria alone, 800,000 hectares are expected to be restored, directly benefiting 600,000 smallholder farmers.
