AGRA

Phoebe Maitala, a 45-year-old mother of five in Kahuta, Nigeria, has transformed her farming from subsistence to entrepreneurship. For years, she and her husband struggled, harvesting only 20 bags of maize per hectare.

The AGRA-supported Gender Consortium introduced new farming techniques and improved seeds, revolutionizing her yields. Training on precision spacing and fertilizer application, particularly the 25-centimeter planting method, more than doubled her maize harvest to 45 bags per hectare. “It felt like a miracle,” she exclaimed, finally having surplus to sell and reinvest.

The establishment of a new processing plant further expanded her economic opportunities. Previously limited to selling raw maize, Phoebe now processes grains into high-value products like maize flour, baby food, and cakes. She also produces ready-to-cook rice and rice flour, and soya-based products like soya milk. “Before, we relied on middlemen. Now, I can process and sell directly,” she explained.

The increased income has enabled her to educate her children, including her daughter Merci, a recent biology graduate. Phoebe’s son, Jesse, has joined the family business, and Merci dreams of contributing to food security innovations.

Phoebe’s story demonstrates how smallholder farmers can become successful entrepreneurs. Through AGRA’s support, she has transitioned to agro-entrepreneurship, proving farming can be a pathway to opportunity and financial independence. Her success is a model for agricultural transformation, showing that with the right support, smallholder farmers can build profitable businesses and ensure sustainable growth. “Farming is no longer just about survival. It’s about building a future where we can grow, innovate, and lead.”