Two to tango: How groundnut production in Nigeria is thriving on synergy

Synergies between USAID and TL III leading to the registration and release of three groundnut varieties in Nigeria in 2018. Photo: VB Michael

Groundnut farmers in Nigeria have benefited immensely through collaboration between two major projects. This has helped promote improved groundnut varieties and strengthen seed value chains in the region. The two projects, USAID’s Groundnut Upscaling Project and BMGF’s TL III project have helped fast-track several activities including release of three improved groundnut varieties (Samnut 27, Samnut 28 and Samnut 29), capacity building of all value chain actors and facilitation of seed production (24 tons of breeder seeds, 80 tons of foundation seeds and 1,749 tons of certified seeds produced).

Led by a plant breeder under the TL III project, and an agro-economist/technology uptake specialist with the Groundnut Upscaling Project, both projects have benefited from the diverse expertise. It has resulted in increased groundnut production as well as adoption in Nigeria. Significantly, compared to the 2015 cropping season when seed production was done on 31 ha, the area under seed production has increased over 8 times, to 264 ha in 2018.

Since the main cropping season of 2016, the visible action points include:

1. 974 varietal demonstration plots for awareness established;
2. Over 20 multi-location trials and 9 technology validation trials conducted;
3. Comprehensive variety release technical proposal prepared;
4. Two pre-season planning meetings and three training workshops conducted to close skill gaps.

Both projects benefit from services of Focal Persons of the State Agricultural and Rural Development Authorities, who coordinate the efforts of farmer-contact agents in each Local Government Area of the States.

Mr Sanusi Dankawu of the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) says, “The combined efforts of the two projects have made it possible for farmers and extension agents appreciate the performance of all the improved groundnut varieties – I am talking about Samnut 24, Samnut 25 and Samnut 26.”

This convergence of skills, expertise and resources of two projects has resulted in a much bigger scale of impact ultimately benefiting the groundnut farmers of Nigeria.

This work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal.