How AATF-driven technologies are transforming the livelihoods of Nigerian farmers

Agriculture remains pivotal to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, holding immense potential for poverty alleviation and sustainable growth. Central to this transformation is the adoption of appropriate, affordable technologies that boost productivity and reduce the hardships associated with farming.

Across the country, farmers are increasingly embracing innovations introduced by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). These technologies, tailored to address specific agricultural challenges, are significantly improving productivity, reducing labor, and revitalizing interest in farming.

Revolutionizing Cowpea Farming with PBR Cowpea

In 2019, AATF, in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research at Ahmadu Bello University, released Nigeria’s first transgenic food crop: the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea. This breakthrough variety, developed over nearly a decade, addressed the persistent damage caused by Maruca vitrata, a pest responsible for up to 80% of cowpea losses.

The PBR cowpea eliminates the need for excessive chemical sprays, reducing costs and environmental impact. Farmers like Isah Yakubu, a young farmer from Tundun Wada, Kano, have witnessed transformative changes. “Since planting PBR cowpea, my life has changed,” Isah shared. “I’ve been able to marry and build a house for my family within four years of cultivating this crop.”

Agricultural experts, including Prof. Ishyaku Mohammed, Principal Investigator for PBR Cowpea, believe that scaling access to this variety for even a quarter of Nigeria’s cowpea farmers could significantly advance the nation’s self-sufficiency in cowpea production.

Emmanuel a young farmer in Keffi, a suburban settlement in Nigeria’s north central state of Nasarawa is beaming with fortunes from farming Bt Cowpea, a means of livelihood he chose as an afterthought.

The university graduate thought he could live his dream of a better life once he completed his university education. But fate played some trick on him and now he is a farmer.

Although going into farming was a tough call to make for him, having endured innumerable challenges to becoming a graduate from a Nigerian university, Emmanuel’s background in farming was enough for him to swiftly adapt to the life of a farmer.

Although farming was not in the shade of professions he thought he would engage in after school, it has formed another path of economic empowerment for him and many other family members.

From the subsistence farming which he started he started with, Emmanuel has taken farming to another level, as he has become a reference for those seeking the right counsel on farming. He has even become the go-to person for researchers for reference and sustainability of genetic modification, the technology that has given him a new status.

Emmanuel disclosed that he currently owes bountiful hectares of farmland, of which he has dedicated 7.3 hectares to the cultivation of Bt Cowpea, a genetically modified version of the cowpea commonly known as iron beans.

Addressing Maize Challenges with TELA Maize

AATF’s innovations also extend to maize farming, where the TELA maize variety, commercially launched in 2024, is making waves. Known for its triple protection against fall armyworms, stem borers, and mild drought, TELA maize is revolutionizing productivity for farmers like Tamiru Danbaba in Niger State.

“Since 2018, I’ve been cultivating maize and soybeans, but I’ve never seen a variety like TELA maize,” Danbaba remarked. “It reduced my costs on farm chemicals, survived the dry spells in July and August, and yielded 25–30% more than previous years.”

Empowering Cassava Farmers in Southwest Nigeria

In Southwest Nigeria, AATF is driving a silent revolution in the cassava subsector through its Mechanization of Cassava Production and Processing Project. Launched in April 2024, this initiative aims to train over 6,000 farmers and processors by 2026, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth.

The program, currently active in Oyo and Ogun states, combines mechanized production with advanced value addition techniques, enabling participants to improve cassava yields and income. Beneficiaries are equipped with the skills to adopt best agronomic practices and enhance the value of their produce.

Transforming Lives Through Technology

From Niger State to Kano and Ibadan, AATF’s innovative solutions are reshaping the agricultural landscape of Nigeria. These technologies are not only addressing productivity challenges but also empowering farmers to create sustainable livelihoods and revitalize rural economies.

By fostering collaboration and deploying research-driven solutions, AATF is helping Nigerian farmers break free from traditional barriers, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.