Firm offers supports for Kwara smallholder farmers

One Acre Fund, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers across Africa, has reiterated its commitment to empowering farmers in Kwara State through access to improved inputs, credit facilities, and agricultural training.

Funke Adewole, the organisation’s Impact Innovations Lead, stated this on Wednesday during the ‘Kwara Harvest Day’ held in Iyana-Share, Edu Local Government Area of the state.

The event featured product showcases, a mini-expo of maize varieties, prize presentation to outstanding farmers and a live demonstration of farm innovations by One Acre Fund’s seed partner, SeedCo.

Funke said the organisation’s primary goal is to enable farmers to increase their productivity and income, thereby improving their standard of living.

“One Acre Fund is a non-profit organisation working with smallholder farmers across Africa. We started in East Africa and began our operations in Nigeria in 2018 with only 150 farmers in Niger State.

“Today, we serve more than 400,000 farmers across Nigeria, and we are expanding rapidly,” she declared.

Funke explained that the organisation launched operations in Kwara State last year as part of its expansion drive across northern Nigeria.

According to her, over 75,000 farmers in Niger, Kwara, and Nasarawa states have already benefited from the organisation’s credit programme this year.

“In Kwara, our goal is to help farmers improve their productivity through credit programmes that provide input bundles; maize seeds, fertilisers, and herbicides, at the beginning of the season. When farmers make profits, they can provide better for their families and live the kind of life they desire,” she said.

She added that the success of the programme depends on two major factors, including farmers’ compliance with planting recommendations and prompt repayment of credit loans.

“Repayment allows us to reach more people and continue expanding to other communities,” she noted. “We encourage farmers to trust the process, follow our agronomic advice, and remain committed.”

Funke revealed that the organisation also runs a tree-planting initiative, through which over 250,000 tree seedlings have been distributed to farmers across the country this year, with plans to double the number in 2026.

She highlighted that security challenges, especially banditry, have limited the organisation’s reach in some parts of the country but assured that One Acre Fund continues to prioritise the safety of farmers and staff.

“Security is a major factor we consider before expanding into new regions. Wherever there are reports of banditry, we suspend operations until the environment is safe,” she explained.

The Impact Innovations Lead commended the Kwara State Government for its collaboration and support during the organisation’s setup phase, noting that One Acre Fund also works closely with local authorities and security agencies to ensure a safe and conducive environment for agricultural activities.

Muhammed Gana, a community leader and programme beneficiary, praised One Acre Fund for introducing quality maize seeds and improved farming methods, which he said have transformed their farming experience.

“When the programme came to our community, many of us were sceptical because of our past experiences. But after trying the seeds from One Acre Fund, we noticed a big difference in our harvests.

“We are now ready to follow all their recommendations in the next farming season,” Gana stated.

The event was attended by local farmers, community leaders, representatives of the Kwara State Government, security operatives, and officials of partner organisations.