Food Security: Foundation, Firms Flag Off Project To Empower Farmers

To boost food security and rural livelihoods, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), a firm, SwagCo, and Odua Investment Company have launched an initiative, the Sustainable Development of Maize Micro-Enterprise Farmers Project, to empower farmers in Ekiti State.

According to the foundation, the initiative is designed to empower over 100 smallholder farmers in and around the region through enhanced access to inputs, sustainable agricultural practices, and market access.

The governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by his chief of staff, Hon. Niyi Adebayo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to agricultural development as a pillar of economic transformation, adding that the state is committed to agricultural transformation.

He lauded BATN Foundation and its partners for their strategic intervention.

“Ekiti is ready for investment and partnership in agriculture. We encourage more collaborative efforts that prioritise the empowerment of our farmers and the sustainability of our food systems,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr Oludare Odusanya, general manager of BATN Foundation, described the initiative as “a transformative journey” beyond a ceremonial event.

“This project is anchored on a simple but powerful vision: to boost maise productivity, promote climate-smart practices, and enable sustainable livelihoods for our farmers.

“We believe smallholder farmers are not just beneficiaries of development but drivers of it,” said Mr Odusanya.

As part of the programme, participating farmers will receive improved maise seed varieties that offer higher yield potential and greater resilience to changing climate conditions.

They will also benefit from targeted agronomic training and extension services designed to embed smart, sustainable farming practices into their daily operations.

The foundation also acknowledged the crucial roles played by its technical partners. SwagCo, praised for its innovation in agricultural enterprise, developed the framework that will guide the implementation, while Westlink will serve as the on-ground execution partner, ensuring efficient delivery and measurable impact.

The Odu’a Investment Company was also commended for its strong commitment to regional development through agricultural empowerment.

“This collaboration is a testament to what is possible when the public sector, private enterprise, and development organisations work hand-in-hand. Together, we are sowing seeds of transformation,” added Odusanya.

The GMD of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, and the chairman of SwagCo, Mr Owolabi Salami, both expressed optimism about the project’s long-term impact on the region, while reaffirming their commitment to supporting inclusive agribusiness development in the south West.