Olam empowers over 1000 sesame farmers in Jigawa, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Benue

In line with the Federal Government move to diversify the economy away from oil through agriculture and ensure food sufficiency, Olam Nigeria has floated sesame out-grower initiative that will empower over 1000 farmers across four northern states of the country.
The out-grower scheme tagged ‘Olam`s Model Farm Village’ is being implemented in the states of Jigawa, Bauchi, Nassarawa, and Benue, respectively, the company disclosed.

While inaugurating the scheme in Garki Local Government area of Jigawa, Dip Sinha, who is the Regional Manager of the company, said the scheme was being implemented under the company `s ‘Sustainable Villages Program’ window conceived to assist farmers in the identified states.

Sinha explained further that the initiative was an integral part of Olam Livelihood Charter (OLC) which has widely improved the live of farmers across the globe.

According to him, the Olam `s livelihood charter across the world has empowered farmers with skills and know how that translated into improved yield, labour practices, market access, quality, traceability, social investment and environmental impact.

Under the scheme, Olam has already distributed over 3000 bags of fertilizer, as well as best quality seeds free of cost and training manuals to the farmers for adoption of best practice in pre and post –harvest farming techniques.

“We are glad to be partnering with Jigawa State Agricultural& Rural Development Agency (JARDA) in this venture which is going to provide training on modern, sustainable agronomic practices that will translate into higher yield, and quality products for the farmers.”

Dip Sinha stated in his address at the occasion which attracted farmers from settlements in Garki, and the surrounding Local Government Areas of Gagarawa, Sule Tankarkar, and Gumel, respectively. The company has launched similar program covering over five hundred farmers in Bauchi State.

Lahiru Shittu, from the office of the zonal director of Agricultural Development Projects (ADP) in Jigawa state commended Olam for the initiative.He particularly praised the company for providing global market access to sesame seed farmers in Nigeria in the last 20 years, pointing out that the current initiative would boost the sustainability footprint of the company in the Nigeria.

He disclosed that his agency will continue to work in partnership with the company to develop sesame seed cultivation in the country.

Also, speaking at the occasion, Bello Adamu, Olam Program Manager of the Initiative, revealed that the company intends launching a full- fledged community development program for the participating villages.

“We are also launching a full-fledged community development program for the partnering villages which entails provision of facilities, such as,clean drinking water through construction of boreholes and educational support for the children of the farmers.

“Under the program we are also going to provide books to the children. We are happy to note that 30% of the farmers registered for the Olam sesame program are women.This development is in line with our endeavor towards attaining true gender equity by providing opportunity for women to participate in the scheme” he noted.

Bello added that the company is encouraged to include more villages into the programme next year with the support being given to the scheme by the ADP, and Jigawa state Ministry of Agriculture.

Olam Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Olam International which is a leading supply chain manager of agricultural commodities in 70 countries globally, with a leadership in farming, Processing, risk management and customer services of agricultural commodities in 47 different products including Sesame, Cashew, Cocoa, Rice, Cotton, Coffee, Ginger and many others.

Adeola Ajakaiye