RESILIENCE ROOTED IN THE SOIL: ACReSAL’s Regenerative Agriculture Transforming Lives in Adamawa State

Located in the heart of Northeastern Nigeria, Adamawa State has a rich history of agricultural heritage, with its fertile savannas and diverse climate supporting a wide range of crops. However, years of drought, soil degradation, and limited access to resources have taken a toll on the state’s farmers, making it challenging for them to eke out a living from the land. But a game-changing intervention has brought new hope.

ACReSAL’s Regenerative Agriculture innitiative has trained over 20,000 farmers and provided them with 10 years of free land use, free agricultural inputs empowering them to transform their livelihoods and communities.”

With the support of the World Bank-funded ACReSAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes) project, farmers in Adamawa State are transitioning towards a more sustainable and resilient farming approach, embracing the timeless principles of Regenerative Agriculture (RA). This innovative approach enables them to break away from resource-intensive methods, fostering a more environmentally friendly and future-proof way of farming.”

At the heart of this transformation are stories that breathe life into data. Real faces. Real farms. Real impact. And nowhere is this better seen than in the lives of beneficiaries such as Fatima Tanimu, Rebecca James, and the many resilient farmers who shared their voices in “A Tale of Two Realities”, A comparison of how differently farmers were affected by a devastating drought.

In mid-2024, Adamawa State experienced an unexpected climate shock: over 40 days without rainfall during the crucial growing season. For conventional farmers, the impact was catastrophic. For those practicing regenerative agriculture, however, it became a litmus test that validated everything they had learned and implemented.

Fatima Tanimu, who adopted ACReSAL’s climate-smart practices, including water harvesting structures like Zais and Halfmoons, shared her moment of astonishment: “I thought the drought had wiped out everything. “But when I finally visited my farm, I found it green. All my crops were thriving where others had failed. The Halfmoons saved me.”

These low-tech, cost-effective structures capture and retain rainwater, helping to rehydrate the soil and extend moisture retention during dry spells. Complemented by multi-cropping, composting, and agroforestry, these interventions have proven both practical and transformative.

For Rebecca James, her story underscores how regenerative agriculture can restore not just land but dignity. An internally displaced person who fled Boko Haram’s violence in Bitiku, she found refuge at the Salama IDP camp in Yola. Widowed and caring for her children alone, Rebecca was offered an opportunity by ACReSAL she never imagined: free access to one acre of farmland, complete with essential inputs, seeds, training, and technical support.

The result? Rebecca harvested six bags of rice, corn, groundnuts, and vegetables—without spending a single naira. She sold two bags to send her daughter to the Federal College of Education in Yola and used the rest to feed her family. Even more remarkably, she qualified for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) by taking care of the trees on her land, allowing her to pay her son’s school fees in Gombi. “I now have land, seeds, and the knowledge to make my farm fertile. I’m not just surviving—I’m thriving,” she said.

While Rebecca’s and Fadimatu’s stories shine with success, the tale of Umaru Musa from Dadiri, Ganye LGA, paints a contrasting picture. Umaru, who relied on conventional farming, borrowed ₦100,000 to plant maize, rice, and groundnut. He applied chemical herbicides and agreed to repay the loan with seven bags of produce. Then came the drought. His entire farm failed. With nothing to harvest, Umaru is now saddled with a ₦450,000 debt and no food for his family.

“Umaru’s experience highlights the challenges faced by farmers relying on conventional methods. Despite his efforts, the drought led to crop failure, resulting in significant financial strain. His story contrasts with Rebecca’s and Fadimatu’s, illustrating the potential benefits of sustainable agricultural practices.”

 Now, I’m worse off than before,’ he said, reflecting on the difficulties many farmers face in an unpredictable climate.”

To institutionalize this shift, the Adamawa State Government—through the ACReSAL project—is investing in tools and systems to support sustainable agriculture. The recent technical learning mission, attended by delegations from the World Bank, Federal Goverenmnet of Nigeria led by the Hon. Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security, and all ACReSAL participating states highlighted this progress.

 The mission featured practical field sessions in Girei  LGAs Regenerative Agriculture sites. A key highlight of the mission was the Honourable Minister’s visit to the 256-hectare Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Site in Girei. Along with the World Bank delegation, the Federal Project Management Unit, and other dignitaries, the Minister interacted with household beneficiaries who have adopted regenerative practices. In a moment that resonated deeply with the farming community, he took part in digging a Half-Moon structure. This act symbolized the commitment of national leadership to sustainable farming practices and reinforced confidence in the project’s long-term goals.

ACReSAL Adamawa is also receiving critical infrastructure including borehole drilling rigs, tractors, amphibious swamp buggies, water tankers, and farm implements to boost institutional resilience.

With over 376 hectares of RA farms allocated to landless farmers being developed in two locations—276 in Girei and 100 Kesio, Yola-North LGA, Adamawa is leading the charge toward climate-resilient farming. With the over 20,000 farmer households (holding about 80,000 indirect beneficiaries) trained in all 21 Landscape Management and Farming Skills Acquisition Centres, these farmers are now more equipped, informed, and empowered to transform their lives and landscapes.

As the stories in “A Tale of Two Realities” reveal, regenerative agriculture is more than a technique—it’s a lifeline. One that replaces debt with dignity, scarcity with sufficiency, and despair with hope.

And this is just the beginning.