Florence Ugbem | March 14, 2025
News Brief
In Bende, Nigeria, farmer Fredrick Aondohemba Iornenge embraces agroforestry, integrating crops, trees, and livestock to improve soil fertility. He says, "I have seen the benefit of combining livestock farming with growing trees," including using animal waste as organic fertilizer. Chairing the Bende Multi-purpose Cooperative, he promotes regenerative agriculture, supported by NGOs providing training and seedlings. Despite challenges, he plans to expand his livestock and oil palm farming, aiming for long-term sustainability while boosting yields and restoring farmland.
Bende is an urban farming hub, located 10 kilometres from Makurdi, the capital of Benue State in north-central Nigeria. It is early Tuesday morning, and the harmattan wind sweeps through the air, chilly and dusty. Fredrick Aondohemba Lornenge arrives at his eight-hectare cassava farm, ready for harvest. As he supervises his hired labourers, he reflects on his integrated farming approach.
Mr. Lornenge practices agrosylvopastoralism, combining crop cultivation, tree planting, and livestock farming. He explains, “I have seen the benefit of combining livestock farming with growing trees. The droppings from my broilers are not even enough. I go around the houses of relatives and friends to gather animal waste for my farms.” He goes on to say, “I plan to expand my livestock production to include grasscutters, rabbits, and goats to boost soil fertility and yields.” (Grasscutters are also known as great cane rats.)
The 45-year-old electrical technician was introduced to farming at a young age. Despite pursuing formal education, he remains committed to agribusiness. He employs about 10 labourers for tasks such as bush clearing, ridge-making, manure application, and harvesting.
Mr. Lornenge has allocated eight hectares for cassava, while another hectare—where his home is located—is used for rice, oil palm, pawpaw, and oranges. He also rears broilers. In addition, he leases four hectares for rice cultivation and owns three hectares in Ayati, Gwer Local Government Area, where he plans to plant oil palm.
He says, “I purchased over 800 oil palm seedlings in 2024 and have been nursing them. I will transplant them in May or June 2025 when the rains begin.”
He adds, “I have already planted plantain and bananas, and I usually grow maize and cassava on my three hectares in Ayati. Once my oil palm trees begin to fruit, I will stop farming there and let the land regenerate into a forest.”
Mr. Lornenge chairs Bende Multi-purpose Cooperative Limited. Along with other members, he received training in regenerative agriculture from agricultural specialist Donald Akule, who is also the managing director and CEO of the Benue Agricultural Development Company. They also received agroforestry and forest management training from the NGO Greenvest Environmental Initiative, which provided 1,500 oil palm seedlings for planting.
Mr. Akule says the negative impact of climate change on agriculture, soil degradation, and low yields motivated him to train communities in regenerative agriculture. He explains, “Our goal is to heal the soil, regenerate farmland, and improve yields at a lower production cost.”
The Bende cooperative has over 30 members, mostly farmers and agricultural retailers. They meet on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss and share sustainable farming practices that have improved soil health and yields. The cooperative also hopes to access government grants or low-interest loans to support members.
Ngikposu Patricia Mbasen is a community mobilization officer with Greenvest Environmental Initiative, and she explains that the organization helps farmers mitigate climate change effects by promoting sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem preservation.
She says, “Planting trees as hedges on farmlands helps retain rainwater, provides shade against wind and erosion, and brings economic benefits to farmers while reducing carbon emissions.”
Precious Igbayima and her husband, Wilfred Iornenge are active members of the Bende Multi-purpose Cooperative Limited. They have applied the training they received and are benefiting from integrating tree planting with crop and livestock farming. They have purchased oil palm seedlings—including Super-Gin and Ternerra varieties—awaiting the rainy season for transplanting.
Mrs. Igbayima says, “Planting trees alongside crops promotes biodiversity and reduces erosion. The trees provide shade for my crops and the soil, improving soil health and yield.”
Photo: Mr Fredrick Aondohemba Iornenge watering his oil palm seedlings in preparation for planting.