Building Soil Health Program Phase-I

The Building Soil Health (BSH) – Phase I Programme marked the first stage of GAERS’ soil restoration and regenerative agriculture initiative in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Implemented through strategic partnerships, the programme focused on raising awareness and building practical capacity among farmers and extension actors on low-cost, natural approaches to improving soil fertility. Partners: BSH Phase I was implemented in collaboration with: - Weltweit e.V. (Germany) - Farmlab Yeranda (India) - Green Quester Association (Nigeria) This international-local collaboration enabled participants to benefit from both global technical knowledge and locally relevant implementation approaches. Programme Focus: The programme introduced farmers and agricultural volunteers to practical alternatives to costly chemical inputs through training on: - Production and use of natural fertilisers - Eco-friendly soil amendments for improving soil structure and fertility - Composting methods using locally available materials - Microbial fertiliser concepts and soil biology awareness - Low-cost pest management approaches compatible with healthier soils BSH Phase I was delivered through a hybrid format, combining: - Online knowledge sessions with expert facilitators - Peer learning and farmer engagement activities Impact Achieved The programme delivered important early results, including: - 20 farmers and extension agents trained as emerging soil-health champions - 5 hybrid learning sessions conducted covering microbial fertilisers, composting, and pest management - Increased farmer awareness of regenerative soil practices - Early adoption of composting and organic inputs in communities across Sokoto State Why It Matters: BSH Phase I demonstrated that farmers are willing to adopt affordable and environmentally responsible solutions when knowledge is practical, accessible, and linked to visible benefits. The programme laid the foundation for deeper field implementation and the expansion into BSH Phase II, where training, demonstration farming, and community-led scaling were further advanced. Legacy of Phase I. BSH Phase I helped establish GAERS as a practical platform for farmer learning, soil health innovation, and collaborative agricultural development. GAERS – Empowering Farmers • Strengthening Food Systems