As part of its ongoing drive to promote community outreach, innovation, and rural transformation, the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has organized a one-day capacity-building training for farmers and women in the Kwarbai IAR Adopted Village, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The training, held on November 9, 2025, was conducted by the Adopted Villages Unit of IAR and focused on enhancing the technical capacity of male farmers and empowering rural women through value addition and entrepreneurship.
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The farmers’ session centered on the assembly, coupling, and effective use of key farm implements such as planters and fertilizer applicators. Participants were taken through hands-on practical demonstrations designed to equip them with the technical know-how to deploy these tools efficiently. According to the facilitators, this will help improve productivity, timeliness, and precision in farm operations, ultimately boosting yields and profitability.
In a parallel session, rural women were trained on the production of composite pastries using locally sourced crops as substitutes for imported wheat flour. The initiative aims to promote local content utilization, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance self-reliance among women in rural communities.
Speaking during the event, the Head of the Adopted Villages Unit, Dr. H. O. Yusuf, emphasized the importance of translating research outputs into practical solutions that directly impact farming communities. He noted that the training reflects IAR’s mission of bridging the gap between scientific research and real-life applications in agriculture.
The session was facilitated by a team of experts from IAR, including Hajiya M. Abdullahi, Mal. N. Ahmadu, Hajiya Z. Gaminana, Mal. A. G. Abdullahi, Hajiya Z. Idris, and Mal. I. Y. Makama, who led the demonstrations and interactive segments of the programme.
Dr. Yusuf commended the participants for their enthusiasm and assured that IAR would continue to sustain its community outreach initiatives across its adopted villages to drive agricultural transformation and inclusive growth.
The training, held at Khalid College, Kwarbai, underscores IAR’s commitment to fostering sustainable livelihoods, enhancing food security, and empowering women and smallholder farmers through knowledge sharing, skills development, and research-driven innovation.
