The NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, Thursday, flagged off an agricultural empowerment initiative for over 900 vulnerable farmers across Borno, Yobe, and Bauchi states, providing training on advanced farming techniques and market access strategies.

The programme which took place in Potiskum, Yobe state, is the final phase of a nationwide scheme that has now trained over 11,000 farmers across five geopolitical zones.

The initiative underscores NNPC Ltd.’s commitment to enhancing national food security and rural development, blueprint.ng reports.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs.Emmanuella Arukwe, stated that the gathering was to reaffirm the shared commitment to securing Nigeria’s food future and uplifting rural communities.

Represented by the Executive Director of Programme Development at the NNPC Foundation, Dr. Bala T. David, Arukwe explained that the initiative reflects NNPC’s commitment to national development beyond energy.

“We are focused on practical interventions that increase productivity,reduce losses,and expand market access for vulnerable farmers,” she said.

According to Arukwe, the training was designed to be hands-on, equipping participants with a focus on women and youth with skills in climate-smart agriculture, soil management, post-harvest loss reduction, and financial literacy.

She urged the participating farmers to actively engage with the training, emphasising that the programme’s success would be measured by “higher yields, fewer post-harvest losses, stronger cooperatives, and better livelihoods for all.”

The beneficiaries – Kuceli Bata and Bukar Mohammad from Borno and Yobe states commended the NNPC Foundation’s initiative, promising to leverage their new found expertise to boost yields, reduce waste, and secure a more prosperous future.