Himma Farmers Association of Nigeria and Extension Africa Explore Strategic Partnership to Boost Agricultural Development

In a bid to strengthen agricultural productivity and expand access to modern extension services, the Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN) held a strategic meeting with Extension Africa on Thursday, September 19, 2024. The meeting, which lasted until 12:47 PM, was attended by key representatives from both organizations.

Representing Extension Africa were Mr. Alex Ochigbo, Miss Elizabeth (Communications), and Mrs. Zainab (Research). On the part of HYFAN, the Vice President and Mrs. Ruphena were in attendance, while Mr. Anthony Adeola National vice president represented Himma Farmers Association of Nigeria.

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Highlights of the Meeting

Extension Africa’s Overview
Extension Africa shared insights into its operational footprint across more than 20 states in Nigeria and two other African countries. With over 6,000 extension workers and a network of 30,000 farmers, the organization has built a strong reputation in delivering innovative agricultural solutions. They also introduced their Farmex tool and three synchronized mobile applications designed to enhance farmer engagement, monitoring, and support.

HYFAN’s Overview
The HYFAN Vice President provided a background of the association, outlining its mission of empowering youth farmers, promoting food security, and enhancing livelihoods through inclusive farming practices.

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Key Areas of Collaboration

Discussions centered on possible areas of partnership between HYFAN and Extension Africa. Mrs. Ruphena of HYFAN highlighted the association’s needs and suggested a two-year partnership agreement, with room for extension based on performance and mutual agreement.

Extension Africa, in response, proposed the following service offerings to HYFAN:

1. Farmers profiling

2. Land mapping

3. Extension services

4. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

5. Support in recovery

The session also allowed both sides to engage in a robust Q&A session, providing clarity on expectations, responsibilities, and long-term goals.

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Agreed Next Steps

To sustain momentum, both parties agreed on the following action points:

Creation of a WhatsApp Group to facilitate real-time communication and ensure data integrity.

Drafting of an MOU by Extension Africa, to be reviewed by HYFAN before official signing.

Sharing of Work Plan by Extension Africa to outline implementation strategies.

Conclusion

The meeting ended on a positive note, with both HYFAN and Extension Africa expressing optimism about the collaboration’s potential to transform the agricultural sector, particularly for youth farmers. The proposed partnership, once formalized, is expected to empower farmers with innovative tools, improve productivity, and create sustainable growth opportunities across Nigeria and beyond.