How Community Science is Transforming Farming in Northern Nigeria
When Abubakar Ibrahim first inherited his small plot of land along the river valley in Nigeria's Niger State, he struggled to grow enough vegetables to feed his family, let alone sell at market. The dry season meant watching his fields turn to dust, while the rainy season brought unpredictable floods that could wipe out his crops in days. Like millions of farmers across Nigeria's northern regions, Abubakar faced the brutal paradox of farming—surrounded by water yet unable to harness it consistently.
This all changed when Abubakar joined what locals simply call "the Fadama project." Within two growing seasons, his yields had tripled, his income had more than doubled, and he had become a trainer for other farmers in his community.
The term "fadama" itself comes from the Hausa language, meaning "irrigable lowland"—those fertile plains that overlay shallow aquifers along Nigeria's major river systems 1 . These areas have long been recognized for their agricultural potential, but it wasn't until a groundbreaking series of development projects began in the 1990s that this potential began to be fully realized.
The Fadama project didn't emerge fully formed. Its development occurred in distinct phases, each building on the lessons of the previous one:
Began as a pilot project in just seven states, focusing primarily on providing basic irrigation infrastructure and support to farmers in selected areas 1 . While successful in its limited scope, it remained a traditionally structured development project managed centrally by government authorities.
Marked a fundamental shift in approach by introducing a groundbreaking Community-Driven Development (CDD) model that institutionalized local stakeholder engagement in community decision-making 1 . This version expanded to 12 states and recognized that sustainable development required empowering farmers themselves to identify priorities and manage resources.
Became a well-known national brand for local agricultural development, expanding to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory 1 . This phase refined the participatory models and introduced innovative financial mechanisms like the FADAMA Users Equity Fund (FUEF), a revolving fund that allowed communities to save for future infrastructure needs.
| Project Phase | Time Period | Geographic Coverage | Key Innovations |
|---|---|---|---|
| FADAMA I | Started 1992 | 7 states | Basic irrigation support; Pilot approach |
| FADAMA II | Started 2003 | 12 states | Community-Driven Development model; Institutionalizing participation |
| FADAMA III | Ended 2019 | All 36 states + Federal Capital Territory | National scaling; Financial mechanisms like FUEF |
From 9,239 user groups created in FADAMA I, the project expanded to include 64,347 user groups under FADAMA III 1 .
FADAMA III established 5,407 community associations, creating durable institutional structures for collective action 1 .
The most revolutionary aspect of the Fadama approach has been its commitment to community participation at every level. Before FADAMA II, most rural projects in Nigeria were managed centrally, with decisions made at higher levels of government far removed from the realities of farmers' fields 1 .
Composition: 20 members (minimum 5 farmers, 5 women, 5 youth) 1
Functions: Direct implementation of projects; Resource management at field level
Composition: Multiple FUGs in a geographic area 1
Functions: Coordinated planning; Knowledge sharing; Collective bargaining
Role: Technical and financial advisors 1
Functions: Provide training; Moderate planning processes; Build partnerships
The financial structure of the projects further demonstrates the commitment to local ownership. Remarkably, farmers' contributions made up 49% of the local financing costs, with state governments contributing 22%, the federal government 9%, and the World Bank 20% 1 .
A revealing study conducted in Osun State provides compelling evidence about what farmers actually need to succeed—and how well the Fadama model meets those needs .
| Priority | Training Need | Percentage of Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical control of insect pests | 85% |
| 2 | Selection and use of appropriate agrochemicals | 78% |
| 3 | Determining correct application doses for chemicals | 72% |
| 4 | Identifying appropriate herbicides to reduce drudgery | 65% |
| 5 | Proper storage techniques for fadama produce | 58% |
"The fact that farmers who had attended previous trainings expressed greater needs for additional training might seem counterintuitive, but actually demonstrates an important phenomenon: as farmers become more knowledgeable, they become more aware of the gaps in their own understanding—a concept sometimes called 'known unknowns'."
Successful Fadama farming depends on the judicious application of specific agricultural solutions. Based on the identified needs of farmers and the technical support provided through Fadama projects, here are the key components of the Fadama agricultural toolkit:
Simple irrigation pumps, water channels, drainage systems
Enables dry-season farming; Prevents waterlogging
Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides
Protects yields; Reduces post-harvest losses
Fertilizers, soil amendments, organic compost
Maintains soil fertility for continuous cultivation
Training programs, farmer field schools, extension services
Builds critical technical capacity; Promotes innovation adoption
Micro-credit, revolving funds (FUEF), group savings
Enables investment in technologies and inputs
Community radio stations, mobile advisories
Timely information sharing; Knowledge dissemination
What's remarkable about the Fadama approach is how these technical solutions are embedded within social systems. The FADAMA Users Equity Fund (FUEF), for instance, is a revolving fund where beneficiaries save at least 10% of the replacement value of their common assets annually 1 .
The long-term sustainability of agricultural systems depends on balancing productivity with environmental stewardship and social equity. The Fadama experience offers several important lessons for creating sustainable farming ecosystems:
A study conducted in the Eriti Watershed of Ogun State found that benefits from Fadama II were not well sustained by beneficiaries after project completion 2 .
The finding that farmers with larger landholdings expressed greater training needs suggests that success itself creates new demands for knowledge .
The FADAMA User Groups and Community Associations have demonstrated remarkable resilience as community institutions 1 .
"The Fadama story represents more than just agricultural improvement—it demonstrates a fundamental shift in how we approach rural development. By placing farmers at the center of the process and creating structures for collective action, the Fadama projects have unleashed tremendous human potential alongside agricultural productivity."
The next revolution in Fadama farming will likely come from digital technologies, climate-resilient crops, and even more participatory research models. But the fundamental principle remains unchanged: when we trust farmers as innovators and decision-makers, when we listen to their expressed needs rather than imposing external solutions, we create not just better harvests, but better futures.
As Abubakar Ibrahim, our farmer from Niger State, put it: "Before Fadama, I worked hard but saw little results. Now I understand why each action matters, and I have brothers and sisters to learn from. We're not just farmers—we're scientists of our own land."