African Technology Policy Studies Network

X-twitter Linkedin Facebook Youtube Instagram

SCALE Project Empowers Over 300 Farmers, Agents, and Researchers in Nigeria with Climate-Smart Tools and Gender-Inclusive Training

October 30, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya

The African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS), in partnership with WAGEDI (Nigeria) and IPAR (Senegal), is making significant strides in strengthening climate resilience among smallholder farmers in West Africa through the Strengthening the Capacity of the Extension System to Use Proven Knowledge and Technologies to Sustain Equitable Locally Led Adaptation (SCALE) project.

Funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Step Change initiative, SCALE is delivering on its mission to transform agricultural extension systems into dynamic, inclusive, and responsive knowledge brokers that empower farmers, especially women and youth, to lead their own climate adaptation efforts.

Figure 1: Capacity-Strengthening Training in Nigeria, Abakaliki (Ebonyi State) and Nsukka (Enugu State).

Ground-breaking Training Drives Measurable Impact

In August 2025, SCALE successfully concluded its Phase 1 Capacity-Strengthening Training in Nigeria, reaching 307 key actors, including 156 smallholder farmers, 91 extension agents, and 60 researchers, across Abakaliki (Ebonyi State) and Nsukka (Enugu State). The training, co-designed with local stakeholders, featured practical modules on:

  • Digital Platforms & ICT for Agriculture
  • Climate-Smart Farming Practices
  • Climate Finance Literacy
  • Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Adaptation

The results were striking: average knowledge scores among participants jumped from 45% before training to 78% afterwards, with the greatest gains seen in smart agricultural practices. Notably, 60% of participants were women, and 90% reported a stronger understanding of gender-inclusive adaptation strategies—a core pillar of the project.

From Plastic Waste to Pest Protection: A Women-Led Innovation Goes Viral

One of SCALE’s most inspiring success stories comes from the Nwanyi Bu Ihe Women’s Cooperative in Nsukka, Nigeria. Building on the support for the Artificial Intelligence for Agriculture and Food Systems project, the group deployed 2,000 upcycled plastic bottle devices to protect young pepper and tomato plants from stem-cutting ants, a pest problem exacerbated by rising temperatures. The simple, chemical-free solution achieved 100% crop protection and unexpectedly improved water retention around plant roots.

Figure 2: Pictures from the field technical support on pest control using non-chemical intervention practices.

The innovation has since been adopted by neighbouring farms, demonstrating how locally led, gender-responsive solutions can scale organically when supported by the proper knowledge and partnerships.

Digital Tools Bridge the Extension Gap

With Nigeria’s extension agent-to-farmer ratio as low as 1:5,000, SCALE is leveraging technology to amplify reach. During recent workshops, farmers and agents received hands-on training in AI-powered diagnostic apps such as Plantix and APWEN Farm, as well as in low-cost, SMS-based irrigation systems. Participants committed to using these tools for real-time disease detection and water management.

Following the training, extension agents and researchers launched a dedicated WhatsApp platform to share climate advisories with over 500 additional farmers, creating a scalable model for continuous knowledge exchange—an early step toward SCALE’s planned Interactive Collaborative Environment (ICE) digital hub.

Policy Engagement Opens New Frontiers in Senegal

Recognising that systemic change requires policy integration, SCALE has seized a strategic opportunity in Senegal. With IDRC’s approval, the project is now providing on-demand technical support to help shape the country’s new National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP). The goal: embed GESI principles, climate resilience, and digital innovation into national policy from the outset—ensuring that women, who make up only 12% of Senegal’s extension workforce, are not left behind.

Looking Ahead

As SCALE enters its next phase, the consortium will:

  • Roll out Phase 2 training in both Nigeria and Senegal, incorporating lessons on hands-on learning and extended follow-up;
  • Deepen policy engagement in Senegal through NAEP co-development;
  • Co-populate the ICE digital platform to sustain knowledge sharing beyond the project’s lifespan; and
  • Conduct field-based monitoring to track the adoption of climate-resilient practices.

“The SCALE project is proving that when farmers, especially women, are equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and platforms, they become powerful agents of change,” said Professor Nicholas Ozor, Executive Director of ATPS and SCALE Principal Investigator. “Our work is not just about transferring technology, it’s about transforming systems to be more equitable, adaptive, and farmer-led.”

By centering local voices, bridging research with practice, and championing inclusion, SCALE is building a replicable model for climate resilience across Africa, one farm, one agent, and one policy at a time.

For more information, visit https://atpsnet.org/ or contact:
The ATPS Executive Director
Email: executivedirector@atpsnet.org