Agriculture: NGO Leads Workshop Participants to Demonstration Farm for Hands-On Training »

Participants of the ongoing capacity-building workshop organized by the Cal-Maji Foundation in partnership with Barns Connect and Heinrich Boell Foundation were taken on an insightful visit to a demonstration farm at the Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University Lokoja, on Thursday. The visit, aimed at providing practical exposure to agroecological practices, is part of the three-day workshop designed to equip smallholder farmers, women’s groups, and youth with sustainable farming techniques.

Led by facilitators Mr. Ado Mannasah and Mr. Barnabas, the farm tour offered participants the opportunity to observe firsthand the application of agroecological principles such as organic farming, intercropping, and natural pest control methods. The hands-on experience was intended to bridge the gap between the theoretical lessons from the earlier sessions and real-world farming practices.

Mr. Mannasah demonstrated the integration of trees into farmland, highlighting the role of afforestation in enhancing soil fertility and preventing erosion. He also provided practical examples of intercropping, showing how growing different crops together can maximize land use and reduce the need for chemical inputs.

“Seeing these practices in action has given me more confidence to apply them to my own farm,” said one participant, who expressed excitement about implementing the new techniques. The practical demonstrations were interactive, with participants asking questions and receiving detailed answers from the facilitators.

Mr. Barnabas, during his session, emphasized the importance of natural pest control methods, encouraging farmers to move away from the overuse of chemical pesticides, which can harm both the soil and crop health. He demonstrated how to prepare and apply organic pest control solutions made from natural ingredients readily available to farmers.

The visit to the demonstration farm is expected to reinforce the knowledge shared during the workshop’s lectures, ensuring that participants leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of agroecological practices.