NIGERIA – WACOT Limited, leading food and agro-processing company in West Africa has partnered with global agritech company Syngenta Crop Protection, to boost Nigeria’s food security and ensure sustainable development of the agriculture sector.
The collaboration set to run for five years, will build Nigeria’s agriculture sector with world-class science and innovative crop solutions.
In a bid to reach the farmers, the initiative will leverage on WACOT Limited’s wide network as it operates in all 36 states in Nigeria and undertakes production of rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, cocoa, spices, sesame, cotton and vegetables, etc. through out-growers’ schemes.
Through this, Syngenta would collaborate with farmers and others to sustainably improve the most important factor in agriculture – yield.
This will take the form of WACOT supporting the Nigerian farmer on cost-effective agronomic practices, advanced crop protection methods through the usage of yield enhancement products and biological compounds to consolidate the growth of the agriculture sector in the country.
“We are most pleased with this partnership that would further help us achieve our dream for Nigeria – food security and self-sufficiency,” said CEO of the Agri division of TGI Group, the parent company of WACOT Limited, Ramesh Moochikal.
“Nigerian farmers are hardworking, and we know that if we can make them aware of better crop production practices and make results of our research and development efforts available to them, things will improve, and the agri sector as a whole would benefit,” he added.
Also speaking, Syngenta Crop Protection West Africa Head, Franck Tokore said, “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with WACOT. Through this partnership, we provide quality solutions to farmers in Nigeria and help support food security and livelihoods in Africa’s most populous country.
“By supporting farmers in Nigeria to sustainably increase their yields, we are also helping them be more competitive globally, hence reducing the need for imports. Nigeria has huge potential, which we strive to unlock sustainably through this partnership”.
“We are most pleased with this partnership that would further help us achieve our dream for Nigeria – food security and self-sufficiency.”
CEO of the Agri division of TGI Group, the parent company of WACOT Limited – Ramesh Moochikal
This partnership comes months after WACOT, collaborated with USAID through its West Africa Trade & Investment Hub to support its rice out grower scheme in Argungu, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Under the partnership, the processor invested US$8.6 million and the Trade Hub issued a grant of US$1.48 million aimed to directly support the Argungu Rice Outgrower Expansion Project, allowing WACOT to onboard an additional 5,143 rice farmers into its program over the next 2 years.
The initiative is designed to improve the livelihoods of smallholders in the region and respond to food security concerns raised due to the pandemic while maximizing every stage of the rice cultivation process.
Under this co-investment partnership, WACOT Rice will help farmers access financing, provide extension services, and ensure high-quality inputs are used to improve yields and quality.
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