The Notore Farmers’ Learning Centre serves as a hub where farmers gather regularly to exchange farming techniques and acquire new agricultural knowledge from extension workers. The center comprises demonstration farms comprising two equal sub-plots: a best practice sub-plot and a Farmers practice sub-plot. In the best practice sub-plot, farmers are guided by an extension worker (Notore Village Promoters (VPs)) to implement recommended farming practices tailored for the region and crop. Conversely, farmers follow their community’s most used methods on the common practice sub-plot. By maintaining these two sub-plots, farmers can observe and compare the growth and development of crops throughout the planting season. This hands-on approach facilitates learning and enables farmers to make informed decisions based on the observed outcomes.
The Notore Farmers’ Learning Centre sessions involve active participation from diverse individuals. Each session includes one extension worker and a group of thirty selected farmers from the target communities. These farmers represent various community segments, including elders, youths, farm owners, sharecroppers, and farm laborers. They are selected based on their active involvement in local farming activities, with the expectation that they will bring back valuable knowledge to enrich their communities. Additionally, the learning centre welcomes interested residents and non-residents of the community as observers during the sessions. This inclusive approach encourages broader participation and facilitates the dissemination of agricultural knowledge to a wider audience.
To extend the knowledge gained at the Farmers’ Learning Centre to non-participating farmers, two main channels are employed:
1. Farmer-to-farmer diffusion: Each participant becomes a knowledge disseminator and shares their lessons with three to four neighboring farmers. They do this through verbal communication, personally explaining the practices, and implementing them on their own farms for others to observe. This direct farmer-to-farmer approach allows for practical demonstrations and a clear understanding of the recommended practices.
2. Field days: Special learning sessions, known as field days, are organized where non-participating farmers from the local community and neighboring areas are invited. Farmers’ Learning Centre participants educate attendees about the two sub-plots and explain the practices implemented in each during these sessions. This interactive platform provides an opportunity for non-participating farmers to ask questions, engage in discussions, and gain knowledge from the experiences shared by the participants.
By utilizing these channels, the knowledge and practices learned at the Farmers’ Learning Centre are effectively shared and disseminated to a wider audience, promoting the adoption of best farming practices and enhancing agricultural productivity in the community and beyond.
Notore Farmers’ Learning Centres are in key rice and maize farming communities in 16 states across Nigeria. About 120,000 small-scale farmers are learning how to improve their farms from the Learning Centres.
In line with our commitment to fostering self-reliance in food production, Notore is partnering with secondary schools nationwide as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. We aim to ignite and cultivate students’ interest in agriculture early on, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge. We showcase international agricultural techniques and best practices through demonstration farms, providing students a hands-on learning experience. This approach accelerates the adoption of these practices, giving students a competitive advantage in the agricultural sector and beyond.
In addition to its primary goals, the Notore Green Schools Initiative aims to achieve several other objectives:
1. Emphasizing the commercial viability of agriculture as a profitable business when executed effectively.
2. Cultivating a new generation of farmers to bridge the age gap prevalent in the sector, ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture.
3. Promoting youth engagement and fostering an understanding and appreciation for agriculture’s role in achieving food security in Nigeria.
These additional objectives contribute to the overarching mission of the initiative, which is to empower and inspire young individuals to pursue agriculture as a viable career option and to play an active role in ensuring food self-sufficiency for the nation.
In its inaugural year, the Notore Green Schools Initiative focused on 120 schools throughout Nigeria. The program’s resounding success, as evident from the anticipated high yields and the enthusiasm displayed by students, teachers, and principals, motivated us to expand the initiative’s scope over the years. By doing so, we have attractedmore students interested in agriculture and agribusiness, fostering a growing community of young enthusiasts.
Notore’s Highway Demonstration Plots initiative aims to engage with farming communities and the wider society, making a tangible impact. To achieve this, we have established more than 360 highway demonstrations throughout the states in Nigeria. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with travelers, passersby, and farmers praising the performance of our demonstration plots. Many individuals have expressed interest in acquiring Notore Seeds and joining the program, highlighting the growing awareness and engagement fostered by our efforts.