By Esther Akaa

The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) has trained 100 beneficiaries in Nasarawa State with practical skills to improve food production, environmental sustainability, and income-generating opportunities.

The 3-day intensive training on climate-smart agriculture was conducted in Agwan Doka 2 community, Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Speaking during the training, Mr Joseph Ibrahim, Programmes Manager at GIFSEP said it was part of the Waste to Wealth project supported by the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme.

Ibrahim also said that the programme focuses on sack farming, compost production, and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming.

He explained that the training is part of the Waste to Wealth: Harnessing Biowaste Value for Enhancing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Livelihoods project, supported by the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme.

“The programme trained 100 beneficiaries, aimed to improve local food production, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen income-generating skills.

“Over the three days, participants were trained in sack farming, compost production, and Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming—three climate-smart agricultural methods that help households grow food in small spaces, recycle organic waste, and produce affordable, high-quality livestock feed.

“The programme equipped many women and young people with practical skills to convert household waste into food and income, contributing to improved food security and sustainable living,” Ibrahim said.

Some of the participants expressed gratitude and for the new skills acquired.
Mr Azenda Aondover said” I used to think that farmers needed a large piece of land to farm, but the training has opened their eyes to grow more food using sacks in their compound.

“This newfound knowledge has given me the confidence to start my own sack farming project, even with the limited space I have in my backyard,” he said.

He said the practical sessions were very informative, covering topics such as the selection of appropriate planting mediums, stacking techniques for maximum space utilisation, and the cultivation of high-yield crops like vegetables and tubers.

“The focus was on ensuring that even those with limited space could achieve bountiful harvests right in their backyards. I was particularly impressed with the emphasis on using locally available materials to create a sustainable farming system.

“The training also covered compost production, which was a new concept to me. I learned how to transform organic kitchen waste, animal waste, and garden waste into nutrient-rich, organic fertiliser,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Halima Egbonu, expressed appreciation for the training, saying, “This training has given me the skills to grow my own food and earn a living from it.

“The hands-on approach to learning made it easy to understand and apply the techniques. I am excited to start producing my own compost and using it to improve the fertility of my sack farm.”

The Waste to Wealth project aims to enhance climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods in the community, and the training is a significant step towards achieving this goal.