Improving agricultural productivity requires more than training farmers on new production practices. Farmers also need access to quality inputs, technical advice, finance, and markets to apply what they learn and sustain it over time.
To strengthen this transition from training to adoption, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC) and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) held two Green Field Days for 500 farmers in Okomu’s neighbouring communities in Edo State.
Held on September 28 and 29, 2026, in Udo, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, and Odighi, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, the events were organised under the theme, “From Training to Adoption: Promoting Improved and Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices.”
The Green Field Days formed part of the PIND/Okomu CSR Livelihood Project and built on demonstration plots established to help farmers see how improved agricultural practices can increase productivity, reduce production risks, and improve farm profitability.
Turning Demonstration Into Adoption
During the field sessions, PIND’s Technical Service Providers demonstrated improved farming practices and guided farmers on how to apply them under their own farm conditions.
The demonstrations included the use of improved cassava stems, appropriate planting methods, spacing and farm-establishment techniques, alongside commodity-specific practices for oil palm, cocoa and rubber.
Selected farmers also received adoption-support inputs, including cassava stems, fertilisers and herbicides, based on their commodity needs.
The support was designed to help farmers move beyond learning to begin applying the demonstrated practices on their farms.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Dr Graham Hefer, OOPC’s Smallholder Scheme Manager, Mr Sam Aisien, said the company’s focus was on ensuring that investments in neighbouring communities translate into practical and lasting livelihood improvements. “Our goal is to ensure that investments in neighbouring communities strengthen livelihoods in practical and lasting ways. When farmers can see what works, access the right inputs and remain connected to technical and market support, they are better positioned to improve productivity, build resilient farm businesses and ultimately improve their living conditions,” Mr. Aisien said.
Connecting Farmers to Services, Finance and Markets
The Green Field Days also connected farmers with Local Technical Service Providers, accredited input dealers, large buyers, financial institutions and other market actors. These engagements were designed to strengthen farmers’ access to the services and relationships they need to continue improving their production beyond the field days.
PIND’s Economic Development Manager, Mr Misan Edema-Sillo, delivering remarks on behalf of PIND’s Executive Director, Mr Sam Ogbemi Daibo, said the value of training depends on farmers’ ability to apply what they learn. “Training creates value when farmers can apply what they learn. These field days help close the gap between knowledge and adoption by combining field-based demonstrations with appropriate inputs, local advisory services and market connections that can continue beyond the event,” Edema-Sillo stated.
The approach also encourages farmers to access future inputs, finance, technical services and markets through existing commercial channels rather than depend indefinitely on project support.
Expanding Access to Markets and Finance
The Green Field Days also linked farmers to other actors who provide services and opportunities necessary for sustaining agricultural enterprises.
Input suppliers, accredited dealers, technical service providers and large buyers engaged with farmers on access to agricultural inputs, advisory services and markets. In the respective communities, an Access-to-Finance Showcase, presented by Sombrierio Kapital, PIND’s Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), further exposed farmers to financing opportunities, including an input-financing facility approved by Sterling Bank Plc to support 500 profiled smallholder farmers through an aggregation model.
The session also provided adequate information on input utilisation, aggregation and repayment arrangements, while highlighting OOPC’s CSR contribution and SK’s role in facilitating the transaction. Integrating access to finance into the field day allowed farmers to consider financing alongside production, input access and market opportunities as part of strengthening their agricultural businesses.
Strengthening Local Support for Farmers
The engagements also strengthened connections between farmers and Local Technical Service Providers, creating opportunities for continued advisory and mentorship services within the communities.
Farmers were able to discuss their experiences and identify additional technical, input, financial, and business development needs that could support their production. The engagement therefore extended beyond the field demonstration to strengthen the relationships needed to sustain adoption after the events.
Local Technical Service Providers can continue to provide advisory and mentorship services, while relationships with input suppliers, buyers, and financial institutions create opportunities for farmers to access services and commercial relationships beyond the project-supported activities.
By connecting practical learning with these wider market services, the initiative is creating clearer pathways for farmers to adopt improved practices, manage production and climate risks, and strengthen the profitability of their farms.
From Training to Adoption
The Green Field Days concluded with farmers committing to replicate the demonstrated practices on their farms, while technical service providers outlined plans for follow-up and adoption monitoring.
By bringing together practical training, agricultural inputs, technical support, market linkages and access-to-finance information, the initiative is supporting farmers to move from knowledge to application and strengthening their connections to the wider agricultural market system.
Through the PIND/OOPC CSR Livelihood Project, PIND and OOPC are supporting farmers in Okomu neighbouring communities to adopt improved production practices and access the services, resources and opportunities required to build more productive and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
