Her story
Maria Mohammed, a farmer from Gadana in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State in Nigeria, has spent the past five years building her livelihood through agriculture. What started as a support role for her mother, evolved into a primary source of income and sustenance for her household. Maria currently cultivates half a hectare of farmland, focusing predominantly on rice production.
Market system perspective
Her farming outcomes have shown steady improvement, with yields increasing from 20 bags in previous seasons to 24 bags in her most recent harvest. This progress has translated into an income range of between ₦450,000 and ₦550,000, reflecting both improved productivity and better farm management. She operating within the rice value chain.
“I sell my produce mainly at the Galda local market, although buyers occasionally purchase directly from my home. The market prices offered at the gate are quite unfavorable. They do not match the effort I put into my farm.”
Maria Mohammed
Market Prices typically range from ₦24,000 at the local market to ₦25,000–₦28,000 when sold to individual buyers, with prices sometimes rising to ₦30,000 during late-season periods. She has faced significant challenges, including limited market access and an inability to negotiate prices effectively. The absence of proper record-keeping made it difficult to determine whether her farming activities were truly profitable.
What changed
Through agricultural support, Maria gained access to the tools and training that are reshaping her farming business. One of the most notable changes has been the introduction of structured record-keeping practices. By documenting all expenses and tracking her financial activities, she is now able to assess her profitability with greater accuracy and make more informed decisions about her farming operations.
Maria now has a committed bulk buyer: Agriarche Ltd, an agricultural company that WEAV Capital brought into the Africa Growth Fund portfolio. This partnership is expected to provide more stable and competitive pricing compared to traditional selling methods. She noted that bulk purchasing will not only increase her income but also strengthen her relationship with the organization, opening doors to continued support.
Maria has accessed an input loan valued at ₦235,100, which enhanced her capacity to invest in quality inputs and improve her farm productivity. Although she has not yet begun repayment, she plans to do so after the harvest period when produce aggregation and sales are completed.
“I will be expanding my role within the value chain by engaging in post-harvest activities such as dehusking paddy rice for sale in nearby markets, including Fika. This will help grow my confidence and willingness to explore value addition opportunities.”
Maria Mohammed
Beyond farming to household and community
The impact of these changes extends beyond her farm. Increased income and improved financial management have positively affected her household, enabling her to better support her children’s needs, including school uniforms and books, as well as contribute to overall family upkeep.
What is next
Maria is focused on sustaining this progress by ensuring she meets the loan repayment obligations promptly, with the goal of accessing larger financial support in the future. Her long-term plan is to expand her farmland and further strengthen her capacity to provide for her family.
“I have transformed from a traditional, subsistence farming practices to a more structured, market-oriented approaches, driven by access to training, financial support, and emerging market linkages by the help of the training.”
Maria Mohammed
