Raising Literacy to Improve Harvests

When you were learning to read and write, you probably never had a classmate like Ibrahim Nadashi.

That’s because he’s 66 years old and has 9 children and 23 grandchildren—most of whom can already write at least their own name. That was only a recent feat for Ibrahim, who is enrolled in an adult literacy class supported by Catholic Relief Services in Nigeria.

“I had no access to school when I was a youth,” he explains. “I was left on my own.”

In Nigeria, an estimated 4.7 million children of elementary school age are still not in school. 

Ibrahim is among thousands of farmers who want to read and write so they can better access financial resources, new technologies and products to improve their harvests, like fertilizer and disease-resistant crops.

CRS and our partners are helping farmers improve their literacy so they can make the most of these opportunities and increase their agriculture production, raise incomes and improve nutrition.

Increased crop yields

Ibrahim has been a farmer his whole life, earning just enough to support his family.

“I have no business other than farming,” he says.

CRS works with farmers like Ibrahim so they can transition from subsistence farming to growing enough to sell in local markets. 

Farmers have already earned enough profits to invest in their farms, and it’s making a significant impact. So far, sorghum and millet yields have doubled, soybean yields have nearly tripled, and more than 42,000 vulnerable households have benefited.

Education lauded

At Ibrahim’s age, it would have been easy to settle for the status quo. However, he is determined to set an example for his community.

“We’re doing this to encourage our children,” he says just outside his classroom, looking around and nodding. “Education can give you opportunities.”

Education is also about empowering citizens, and these classes help dozens of people like Ibrahim learn new skills, so they can earn a living with dignity.

“I’ve been yearning for this opportunity and I’m grateful for what’s happening here,” says Ibrahim.

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