By Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The NNPC Foundation has concluded the Northern Phase of its Vulnerable Farmers Training Program in Kaltungo, Gombe State, marking the completion of a nationwide initiative designed to boost food security and improve rural livelihoods across Nigeria.
Representing the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, at the closing ceremony, Dr. Bala T. David described the program as a transformational effort aimed at empowering vulnerable farmers with modern agricultural skills, business management capacity, and climate-smart techniques.
“Today’s event in Kaltungo is not the end of a training programme, but the beginning of a stronger agricultural awakening across Nigeria. When knowledge meets opportunity and determination, transformation follows,” the MD said.
According to her, the Foundation trained no fewer than 15,000 smallholder farmers nationwide, including over 2,000 participants in Gombe cluster covering Gombe, Adamawa, and Taraba States. The MD explained that the initiative focused on climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness management, post-harvest handling, and market access strategies aimed at strengthening resilience and boosting productivity in the country.
Mrs Arukwe further disclosed that the nationwide training was executed in two phases, the Southern Phase, which was conducted between April and May 2025; and the Northern Phase started in September and which concluded in October 2025.
The MD commended the government and people of the seventeen host states, traditional and religious leaders, and cooperative societies for their support, noting that community ownership and training delivered in local dialects enhanced participation and impact.
“This programme has transformed lives, strengthened communities, and reaffirmed our belief that Nigeria can feed itself and the world,” he added.
She further revealed that the training recorded zero safety incidents and an increased participation of women and youth. She said the impact was already visible in farmers adopting improved soil management and cooperative farming practices.
The Kaltungo closing ceremony brought to an end a six-month national empowerment drive targeted at advancing food security, improving livelihoods, and supporting the hands that feed the nation.
