How Young Farmers Are Rebuilding Their Market Chain Through Modern Farming and Community Collaboration

August 25, 2025

Smiling man giving a thumbs up, holding a tool, with green fields and blue sky in the background. — Suraju Yakubu

UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji-Daniel Adeyemo

A country that can produce its own food tends to survive and thrive regardless of external pressures. Food self-sufficiency doesn’t just put meals on tables, it creates jobs, boosts internal revenue and opens doors to regional trade.

In northwestern Nigeria, Zamfara State proudly carries the nickname “Farming is our pride.” Agriculture drives its economy. From millet and maize to cotton and tobacco, the land produces a diverse range of crops. Livestock and fish farming also thrive here, making Zamfara a vital player in both domestic and cross-border trade.

Despite the crisis that has gripped the region in recent years, Zamfara remains a symbol of resilience. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the state government, efforts under the Prevention Facility Project are driving early recovery and economic revitalization in the hardest-hit communities.

At the heart of this recovery are the farmers; men and women whose grit and perseverance continue to sustain families and communities despite limited access to quality seeds, irrigation, and financing.

One of them is Suraju Yakubu, a 28-year-old farmer and trader from Fufuri community. Known for his relentless work ethic, Suraju has long championed modern farming techniques. But like many others in his village, he’s been held back by a lack of capital and outdated tools.

“I love farming because it has always been a part of our culture and tradition,” Suraju explains. “However, over time, we’ve faced growing challenges, especially with limited access to water, improved seeds, fertilizers, and other key inputs. Most of us use generators to pump water for our farms, but it’s expensive to sustain and rarely provides returns that justify the cost. This has also affected trade in our local markets.”

In the absence of reliable alternatives, many farmers in Fufuri have resorted to pooling resources to buy fuel for generators, just to keep their crops alive. This shared burden underscores both the resilience of the community and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, such as solar-powered irrigation, access to affordable inputs, and better financing options to improve productivity and local trade.

That need is now being met.

As part of a wider strategy to boost economic resilience, the UNDP and partners have installed a solar-powered boreholein Fufuri. The result: reliable, year-round access to water. Alongside this, farmers have received improved seedlings and other essential inputs to help transition from subsistence to commercial farming.

“We were informed that a solar-powered borehole will be installed in Fufuri community to serve the wider population. This news came as a huge relief to both farmers and households. The support will significantly boost productivity and positively impact trade and the local market chain in Zamfara. With reliable access to water, year-round farming is now within reach”

Farmers were also provided with improved seedlings and other essential inputs to support mechanized agriculture. This intervention aims to help them transition from subsistence farming to more commercially oriented practices, increasing productivity, improving livelihoods, and strengthening local value chains.

A metal watchtower enclosed in a fence, set against a bright blue sky and green trees. — Solar Powered Borehole

UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji

“Ever since the completion of the solar-powered borehole, my farm's productivity has greatly improved,” Suraju proudly shares. “A friend and I have been able to harvest various crops and even engage in dry season farming. Almost every farmer now has access to water through multiple water points across the community. I recently had a bountiful onion harvest, over 10 bags from my farm. I sold each bag for ₦55,000, which is the highest yield I’ve ever recorded. And it’s not just me, other farmers are experiencing the same success. With this kind of support, farmers in Fufuri are beginning to transition into commercial farming.”

We are not only restoring livelihoods for crisis-affected communities but also rebuilding confidence and fostering resilience by leveraging existing state priorities and opportunities. These efforts are doing more than boosting crop yields. They’re transforming local trade.

Smiling girl in a turquoise hijab holds fresh plants in a sunny field. — Shemziya Aliyu

UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji

Hands holding a variety of colorful chili peppers in a garden setting. — Shemziya Aliyu

UNDP Nigeria/Ayodeji

Shemziya Aliyu, a young female farmer, shares how this empowerment has helped strengthen trade within Fufuri and improved access to major markets. Once a small-scale subsistence farmer, she now transports her produce to larger markets for sale, marking a significant shift in her farming journey

“This support truly encouraged us to start exploring more opportunities in trade,” Shemziya explained. “I now sell my produce in bags and even store some for the rainy days. I also lead a local savings group where I encourage women to join, save, and invest so they can take advantage of available opportunities. My hope is that we can form a strong women-led business association that will empower others and contribute to preventive stabilization in our community”

These interventions, made possible by funding from the German Government, are reshaping the agricultural landscape in Zamfara. But it’s the resilience and drive of farmers like Suraju and Shemziya that bring it all to life. They’re not just growing crops, they’re rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening market chains and shaping a more secure future for their communities.