For Muhammed Bukhari, a 28-year-old from Sabon Gari in Kaduna State, the path to becoming an agricultural professional was once uncertain. Although he enrolled in a National Certificate in Education (NCE) program to study agriculture, financial constraints forced him to drop out. Yet his passion for farming never faded.
“My knowledge has expanded immensely with the training from HortiNigeria.”
Muhammed Bukhari
As a teenager, Muhammed began working as a spray service provider, moving from farm to farm to tackle pest challenges affecting crops and livestock. But with little knowledge of safety practices or modern techniques, his work carried risks for both farmers and himself.
Everything changed in 2024 when he joined HortiNigeria’s spray service provision training. There, Muhammed gained practical skills in using personal protective equipment, correctly measuring pesticides, and distinguishing genuine from counterfeit inputs.
“My knowledge has expanded immensely with the training from HortiNigeria,” he reflected.
Armed with these skills, Muhammed transformed his trade into a professional business. Today, he prioritizes safe practices, ensures the correct use of protective gear, and even educates his customers.
With the value of his expertise recognized, he now earns ₦5,000-₦6,000 (approximately $3.41-$4.09) per hectare, up from just ₦2,000-₦3,000 (approximately $1.36-$2.05) before the training. Farmers have noticed the difference, reporting healthier crops and fewer losses.
HortiNigeria’s model integrates private input suppliers such as Miagro into the training, creating a sustainable, market-driven system. Through these linkages, spray service providers like Muhammed are connected to agro-dealers, who in turn refer farmers to certified providers.
This approach benefits everyone: farmers receive safer and more effective services, providers build stronger businesses, and suppliers see increased input sales.
Looking ahead, Muhammed envisions expanding into a formal company that offers professional spray services and structured training for other youth. His journey demonstrates how knowledge, partnerships, and opportunity can drive both personal success and systemic change in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
HortiNigeria (2021-2025) is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria and implemented by IFDC, together with KIT Institute and East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation (EWS-KT). The program promotes sustainable, inclusive, and profitable horticulture value chains that empower farmers — especially women and youth — to thrive in a modern, resilient agricultural economy.
