WACOT Secures N2.25bn Grant To Empower 3,500 Sesame Farmers

WACOT Limited has secured €1.26 million (N2.25 billion) in support from DEG Impulse through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)’s development funding programme.

The Nigerian firm will match the funding with a counterpart of about €1.26 million to support a three-year project to empower 3,500 smallholder sesame farmers to adopt organic and climate-resilient sesame farming in Jigawa and Kebbi States.

The company is a member of Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group.
In a statement issued yesterday, which was made available to journalists in Abuja, WACOT said the initiative builds on the success of its 2020 organic sesame pilot, which more than doubled average national yields and achieved international ECOCERT certification.

The new project, it said, would scale this proven model, providing farmers with training, organic inputs, agroforestry, weather alert systems, and financial inclusion support.

The statement said a key component is WACOT’s commitment to a 100% offtake agreement, ensuring farmers receive premium prices for their certified organic harvest.

The managing director of WACOT Limited, Naveen Chaurasia, said, “This grant is a robust validation of our commitment to sustainable agriculture and the smallholder farmers who are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“By scaling our successful organic sesame model, we are securing a high-quality, traceable supply chain for our processing operations and, more importantly, directly improving the livelihoods of thousands of farming families. This project will double farmer incomes, enhance climate resilience, and significantly contribute to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings. It is a true testament to TGI Group’s core philosophy of ‘earning the goodwill of the people’, he said.

The head of Strategic Partnerships, TGI Group, Habiba Suleiman, said, “Strategic partnerships are crucial for driving meaningful and sustainable development. Our collaboration with DEG Impulse and BMZ exemplifies how aligning business interests with development goals creates powerful win-win outcomes.

“For TGI, this project reinforces our dedication to investing in rural communities and fostering economic development. We are proud to be at the forefront of promoting the adoption of organic farming and climate-smart practices in Nigeria, which inadvertently contributes to a healthier environment and a more prosperous agricultural future,” she said.

The managing director of DEG Impulse, Marco Christ, said, “Through our joint develoPPP initiative, we empower smallholder farmers and contribute to poverty reduction in the region, while supporting Nigeria’s non-oil export growth and environmental restoration. We are pleased to support the scaling of this important project through develoPPP, accelerating the adoption of sustainable farming practices and strengthening the supply chain.”

The project is expected to deliver substantial outcomes, including training for 3,500 farmers in organic sesame production, focusing on the inclusion of women and youth. This will significantly increase climate resilience, higher sesame yields, and double farmer incomes.

It will also create 46 direct jobs, strengthen cooperatives, and improve farmers’ access to financial services. This significantly contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty, Gender Equality, Decent Work, Climate Action and Life on Land.