LocationsEmpowering Farmers to Thrive: How the Prevention Facility Project Transformed Lives in Illela
November 18, 2025
An inspiring story is that of Ibrahim Anaruwa, whose name means “Born during the rainy season.” At 48, he never imagined he would one day become a large-scale farmer.
Ibrahim Anaruwa, whose name means “born during the rainy season,” never imagined he’d one day become a large-scale farmer. At 48, he had spent years cultivating just enough to feed his family, with little left to sell. But that changed with the support of the Prevention Facility Project and the Sokoto State Government. Access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and modern training transformed his life and his farm.
“I have always loved farming, but I never had the means to scale up. For many years, I only farmed for survival. As of last year, I was managing a small piece of land inherited from my forefathers, and I was barely able to produce enough to feed my family. With the support I received under the Prevention Facility Project, everything changed. I was given access to improved seeds, fertilizers, and modern farming techniques. I also received training on how to properly manage my farmland and increase productivity” - Ibrahim narrates.
This season, Ibrahim recorded his biggest harvest yet, as he is now regarded as the largest scale farmer in Illela LGA.
“I recorded over 900 bags of carrot, each of which I sold for ₦30,000. I was strategic with my harvest, I stored it until it became scarce, and demand was high. This allowed me to make a huge profit, as buyers from the South, Niger, and neighbouring states came in search of my produce. I am so proud of myself.
Not only was I able to feed my household comfortably, but I also sold my produce in the market and made a sustainable income. For the first time, I feel like a true farmer, not just farming to survive, but farming to grow, to earn, and to inspire others.
Today, I am planning to expand my farm even further, hire more labour to support me, and invest in better equipment. Farming has given me dignity, hope, and a future.”- said a proud Ibrahim.
That same spirit of resilience is echoed in the story of Sani Madugu, a 60-year-old farmer who once lost everything to banditry. After a devastating attack that destroyed his crops and nearly pushed him into retirement, Sani found a way back, with support from the same project.
“Last year, I was almost depressed as a result of the loss of my farm produce. Herdsmen attacked my farm with their cattle, destroying almost everything I had planted, and even carted away most of the crops that were ready for harvest. I was so heartbroken because I had invested so much time, resources, and energy into that farm, only to wake up one day to such devastating news. But thank God for the coming of this support and initiative to farmers in Illela. I was able to bounce back, this time with better tools, improved seeds, knowledge, and skills to execute a more robust farming practice. Today, I have not only restored my productivity but also recorded better yields than before. What seemed like the end of my farming journey has turned into a new beginning filled with hope, resilience, and success. Farming has once again given me pride, dignity, and the ability to provide for my family.” - Sani expresses confidently.
These aren’t just individual success stories—they mark a collective transformation in Illela. Farmers who once struggled to survive are now thriving. They’re forming cooperatives, expanding trade networks, and producing at commercial scale. This shift is boosting incomes, strengthening communities, and restoring a sense of purpose and pride among farmers.
Thanks to support from the German Government and its partnership with the Sokoto State Government, farming in Illela is undergoing a remarkable turnaround. Beyond improving food security, this initiative is bringing dignity, confidence, and resilience back to a region long burdened by hardship.
The success in Illela is proof:
With the right support, farmers can move from survival to prosperity—and inspire lasting development.
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