No fewer than 10,000 farmers across Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara States are set to benefit from an empowerment initiative launched by a leading agricultural firm, Arzikin Noma, under its Sorghum Value Chain Transformation Project.
The project, designed to promote the cultivation of sorghum, positions the crop as a viable alternative to expensive wheat and barley, traditionally used in the production of beer, beverages, and livestock feed. With soaring costs of these staples, sorghum offers an affordable and sustainable option for the food and beverage industry.
Speaking at the project’s launch in Ikeja, Lagos, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Arzikin Noma, Adeoluwa Adesola reflected on the initiative’s potential to address food inflation and other security challenges.
“Over the years, Nigeria has battled food inflation. For us to tackle this, private entities must work closely with smallholder farmers to ensure they can scale,” Adesola said, highlighting the company’s successful partnerships with over 40,000 smallholder farmers in the past in Northern Nigeria and Easter Africa.
Adesola further revealed that the organisation would support farmers with training, high-yield sorghum seeds, essential farming resources, and financing through a partnership with the IDH (Sustainable Trade Initiative). “Southwestern farmers have the capacity, land, and technical knowledge, but they lack financial strength. That’s where Arzikin Noma steps in,” he said.
Chief Operating Officer of Arzikin Noma, Ugochukwu Oguike, described the Nigerian grain market as a lucrative industry worth nearly N16 trillion. He noted that sorghum cultivation was a profitable and less labour-intensive venture.
He also noted the broader economic implications, including increased tax revenue and reduced pressure on foreign exchange through decreased dollar spending.
“Farmers will become taxable, and by reducing dollar spending on imports, we ease pressure on the nation’s reserves,” Oguike stated.
Both men affirmed that the organisation was making contacts with farmer clusters but further urged interested farmers in Ogun, Oyo and Kwara to register their interest.
Kwara State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Oluwatoyosi Thomas, expressed the state’s support for the initiative but stressed the importance of farmer compliance.
“I understand that when agreements like this are made and it’s time to return the produce or loans, it becomes challenging,” she cautioned. “Integrity is important because usually it starts with a pilot, and if we’re not able to go beyond the pilot phase, other farmers will not be able to benefit.”
Dr. Ademola Otunba, a key stakeholder at the launch, praised the company’s forward-thinking approach. “By securing a ready market before full project implementation, Arzikin Noma demonstrates exceptional foresight. This strategic planning virtually eliminates post-harvest losses and ensures long-term project viability,” he remarked.
Another stakeholder Kolade Orilade highlighted the project’s environmental benefits. “This initiative not only addresses food security but also promotes environmental sustainability through strategic afforestation efforts, making it a win-win for both farmers and our climate,” he noted.
