Agriculture
USAID partners WACOT Rice on N5b deal to boost Rice production in Kebbi State
WACOT Rice Limited’s (WRL) strategy to become West Africa’s leading rice producer got a massive boost from the USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub (WATIH).
The Nigerian based subsidiary of TGI Group recently signed a co-investment partnership with WATIH to the tune of $10.5 million (about N4.99 billion) to support the company’s Argungu Rice Outgrower Expansion Project based in Kebbi State.
In this partnership, WRL will register an additional 5,143 farmers to complement its already existing outgrower network in the state.
These new farmers are expected to cultivate over 5,000 additional hectares of land thereby producing over 20,000 tons of paddy which will be utilised at WRL’s 120,000-ton rice mill in Kebbi.
While receiving the good news, Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said that the state government was pleased that the efforts of the Federal Government in agricultural revolution was being recognised by international bodies like USAID and WATIH.
He further said: “WACOT Rice Limited is the first major rice mill commissioned under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and the support by both globally reputable organisations is a big boost for private sector investment in the Nigerian agriculture sector”.
Governor Bagudu, who is the Vice Chairman of the National Food Security Council and also National Champion on Nigeria Rice Revolution, commended WRL for boasting the drive towards food security in Nigeria.
It is expected that this project will improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the region while addressing Nigeria’s food security concerns.
The average smallholder farmer in Argungu, Kebbi State cultivates about half a hectare of land and earns less than $200 (N95,000) net income annually, barely sufficient to cover the needs of a household.
Although the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrower Program has provided significant funding to rural farmers thereby increasing yields, many other farmers still struggle to get access to any form of finance.
This has hindered their ability to scale up their activities by increase the size of land they cultivate as well as yield and productivity.
Commenting on the development, Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera described the partnership and the investment by WRL as a welcome development. “It is a win-win situation for our farmers, the state government and the people of the state generally”, the traditional ruler further said.
He described the WRL project as timely coming shortly after the farmers experienced devastating flooding that wiped out their farmlands.
The partnership between WRL and WATIH will complement and enhance the on-going Central Bank of Nigeria and Federal Government programmes by helping farmers access finance, high quality inputs and technical extension services leading to higher yields and quality.
The guaranteed paddy off-take agreement between WRL and the farmers, which is a key pillar of this partnership, will provide a sustainable market going forward.
On the partnership with USAID and its benefits, Strategy and Business Development Manager of TGI Group, parent company of WRL, Habiba Suleiman, says: “The overall impact is to enhance yield per hectare and help farmers better their livelihoods. In terms of their earnings, this project will help them to be able to send their kids to school, access better livelihoods, access better healthcare and to have better nutrition, and quality of life”.
Anne E. Patterson, USAID Mission Director, said of the partnership: “The US government is pleased to partner with the private sector in Nigeria to develop market-driven solutions and sustainably improve food security by supporting local rice production”.
She added that, “with this new co-investment partnership, smallholder farmers in Kebbi State can increase yields and improve the livelihoods of their families”.
Working in partnership with USAID its Feed the Future strategy, the Federal Government has prioritised local production of rice, a major staple in the country. By supporting smallholder rice farmers to increase their yields by 50 to 100 per cent, the co-investment will help farmers earn more and lift themselves out of poverty, create thousands of jobs, and attract further private investments in the agriculture sector.
WACOT Rice disclosed that it would be placing a strong emphasis on women and youth, with at least 50 per cent of the new farmers trained to be women and 70 per cent of all the farmers under 30 years old.
Commending the team for the laudable feat, Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara laid emphasis on the Group’s mission to always add value to its communities. “No doubt, this project not only supports our drive to support the government in achieving food security in Nigeria, it also allows us to support our community, Kebbi, which was ravaged by flood just a few months ago. For us, sustainability is a way of life. Therefore, we will continue to explore avenues to grow sustainably, while supporting others”.
WACOT Rice Limited operates a state-of-the-art rice mill in Argungu where it produces Big Bull Rice. It is one of the largest rice mills in Africa and sources paddy from various paddy producing states across Nigeria.
WACOT Rice also engages in out-grower farming programmes with paddy farmers to boost their yields and guarantees off-take of paddy from farmers through buyback arrangements. WACOT Rice is a subsidiary of TGI Group.
Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group is a global conglomerate with a majority of its investments based in emerging markets. TGI’s investments focus on driving inclusivity and value addition using locally sourced raw materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a highly skilled workforce to produce world class products that are consumed both locally and exported to global markets.
Agriculture
We engage in beneficial, community-oriented land acquisition for agricultural purposes – Enugu Govt
By Our Correspondent
The Enugu State Government says it only engages in a win-win land acquisition system for ongoing agricultural initiatives and programmes.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Mr Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, made this known to newsmen in Enugu, weekend, stating that “we engage in beneficial and community-oriented land acquisition for agricultural purposes only.”
Ubru observed that the state government,, by an executive order issued by the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, in 2024, committed to international best practices in agricultural land acquisition.
“By the Executive Order No. 001 of 2024 on the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) signed by the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, the state government
had committed itself to international best practices in land acquisition for agricultural purposes,” he stressed.
It would be recalled that an online medium had published a report falsely accusing Governor Peter Mbah of moves to buy off some ancestral lands in Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo LGA and hand it over to non-indigenous herders for settlement.
The group also alleged that Governor Mbah had paid the sum of N30 billion to some leaders of Eha-Amufu community to secure the release their communal lands to the said herders for settlement.
Ubru however urged the people of the state to discountenance the report, describing it as “completely fake and mischievous ,” adding that “being a responsible and people-focused government, this administration would not undermine or short-change its people under any guise.”
The commissioner stated that the Executive Order had ensured transparency in land acquisition with the consent of the people and to the benefit of all within the same community.
He noted that the Executive Order is a public document that anyone may read in electronic or hard copy to understand how open and transparent Governor Peter Mbah’s visions and objectives are regarding land acquisition for agricultural purposes..
“The Executive Order ensures that land acquisition and resettlement for large-scale agribusiness investments are undertaken in line with international best practices and guaranteed shared benefits between private investors and host communities.
“The Government of Enugu State is desirous of deepening the state’s agribusiness reforms including delivering a win-win approach to all the relevant stakeholders on agricultural land matters and investment opportunities.
“The FRILIA Executive Order will enhance access to large-scale investments, gainful employment on large-scale farms, sufficient income, and protection from the volatility of agricultural labour and product markets.
“The Framework will ensure adherence to guiding principles covering overarching investment, recognition and protection of land rights, state land acquisition and resettlement, environmental and social responsibility,” he said.
The commissioner noted that in order to achieve the government’s objective of creating an enabling, responsible and inclusive business operating environment for large-scale agribusiness investments in Enugu State through FRILIA, the state government set up other mechanisms to back it up.
“The state government established the FRILIA Steering and Technical Committees with clearly defined functions and powers.
“Others are the establishment of a grievance redress mechanism; and development and adoption of FRILIA Toolkits/Guidelines/Policies or Equivalent,” he added.
Ubru said that Governor Mbah, being a leader with vision, had clear intentions and programmes to grow the GDP of the state from $4 billion to $30 billion.
He noted that the governor had taken time and opportunities to explain his vision of uplifting the people of the state out of poverty.
The Enugu State Government has warned members of the public, particularly individuals and companies involved in equipment leasing to exercise due diligence before leasing their equipments for illegal activities.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, the government said it would not hesitate to impound and auction any equipment leased to individuals or companies engaging in illegal activities that may impact government assets or interests such as construction, mining, agriculture, and others.
The statement further advised leasing companies to exercise due diligence in their search about companies and individuals and the purpose of leasing before releasing their equipments and other tools to them.
“Entities or persons that are engaging in leasing of equipments are obligated, as imposed duties, to approach appropriate government agencies and carry out background checks on the authenticity and authority of any person or company to engage in construction activities, agriculture, mining or any other activity that may impact government property or interest.
“Failure to carry out due diligence before leasing out equipments which turn out to be deployed for fraudulent activities will attract severe consequences as impounded vehicles, equipments and other materials will be auctioned,” the statement read.
Recall that the state government had previously lamented the illegal activities of some unscrupulous elements operating in the state without authorization, stressing the environmental and climate impact of the activities.
Foods
Twisco, Cowbell Choco & Miksi Choco World Chocolate Day Campaign Create Delightful Memories for Families
REPORTER: Sandra Ani
World Chocolate Day 2024 took on a delicious new meaning as the Promasidor brands – Miksi Chocolate, Cowbell Chocolate, and Twisco – brought lots of excitement for many chocolate lovers in Nigeria.
The World Chocolate Day 2024 celebration was Twisco, Cowbell Choco and Miksi Choco’s way of celebrating Chocolate in Nigeria, through recreational activities, fun games, painting and relaxation.
This year’s edition took place on Sunday May 7, 2024, in several locations across Nigeria, Ikeja City Mall, Circle Mall Lekki, Asaba Mall, Jabi Mall Abuja and PHC Mall.
Speaking, Lillian Omorenuwa, the brand manager for Beverage Category at Promasidor said “We’re excited to celebrate World Chocolate Day with kids and moms. Our powdered Choco beverages are the perfect way to indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of chocolate. We want everyone to “Get Your Choco On” while making the day a chocolate-filled celebration to remember”.
The incredible event demonstrated the brands’ dedication to injecting joy and excitement into Nigerian homes, even amidst challenging economic times.
It also underscored the versatility and health advantages of chocolate, especially Choco beverages, while offering a plethora of enjoyable activities such as a bouncy castle, face painting, puzzles, and more.
Commenting on the event, Olutayo Olukayode, one of the parents who graced the event commended the company for bringing such a relief and fun packed activities for the children. “I am impressed by what is going on here, although I came around for something else, and I saw this event going on because I came with my children. We should give credit to the organisers, particularly we enjoyed Twisco, Cowbell Choco and Miksi Choco delicacies.
Also speaking, Femi Oludele, another parent at the event noted that “Cowbell is celebrating World’s Chocolate Day, and creating awareness that there is a day specially marked out for people to celebrate chocolate day. It is good gesture from the brands to the children and everyone. This will allow the children to cool off stress and may also avail the parents and guardian also the opportunity to relax their nerves. So, it is a good and welcome development, and we thank Promasidor for Organizing it”.
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