Training provided directly at farm locations.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 1, 2023) Salesian missionaries in the Imo state of Nigeria had the funding to help local farmers thanks to donor support from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The project “Post-COVID Empowerment through the Provision of Poultry and Farm Crops for Poor Young People and Women in Nigeria” supported four poor families with their farms in 2022.

These families had established small-scale farms and saw improved revenues at harvest time given the training and support received from the Salesians. Training topics included crops, organic manure, pest control and spacing of crops. Additional training was provided directly at the farm locations, and it included clearing, mapping and planting periods.

One Salesian involved with the project noted, “The project has immensely boosted the morale and determination of the beneficiaries. The funds received have greatly supported and enhanced the farm activities, especially the capacity and new knowledge they have received. Now the people are equipped with skills, knowledge, and capacity to improve their farms and revenues. They have better knowledge of farm management and will be able to improve on their harvest for the years ahead.”

According to UNICEF, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and the ninth most populous country in the world. By United Nations estimates, Nigeria will be one of the countries responsible for most of the world’s total population increase by 2050. While Nigeria has the second strongest economy in Africa, it also has extreme rates of poverty with 100 million people living on less than $1 a day.

About 64% of households in Nigeria consider themselves to be poor while 32% of households say their economic situation had worsened over a period of one year, according to UNICEF. Poverty still remains one of the most critical challenges facing the country and population growth rates have meant a steady increase in the number of people living in conditions of poverty.

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