Food Security: Edo Govt, WACOT Renew Partnership On Fertiliser Production

Edo State government and WACOT Limited have renewed their nine-year-old partnership on fertiliser production, and support for farmers through the Edo State Fertiliser and Chemical Company Limited (ESFCCL) in Auchi.

The partnership is targeted at strengthening food security and make fertiliser more available to the end-users, especially in the South-South and North East geographical zones. This was disclosed yesterday by WAFCOT, in a statement,

where it highlighted its renewed commitment to the partnership with the state government on agricultural transformation and sustainable food production.

The company, a member of TGI Group, said the partnership, which began in 2017, is aimed at strengthening domestic fertiliser production and improving access to quality agricultural inputs for farmers across Nigeria.

It noted that the Auchi facility plays a strategic role in meeting regional agricultural needs and supporting national food security priorities through its specialised fertiliser blending capabilities.

The plant produces tailored, crop-specific fertiliser blends designed to address varying soil conditions and agricultural requirements across the country.

The president of the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) and Director of Corporate Affairs at TGI Group, Mr. Sadiq Kassim, described the facility as vital to Nigeria’s fertiliser industry and food security efforts.

“The Auchi facility is of strategic importance to Nigeria’s fertiliser industry and national food security. It is the only plant in the South-South with the capability to produce tailored, crop-specific fertiliser blends suited to the region’s soil requirements,” Kassim said.

He added that the facility could also produce specialised chemical blends for the North-East, where security challenges had made the establishment of fertiliser production facilities particularly difficult.

Kassim stressed the importance of strengthening domestic production to meet the country’s diverse agricultural needs.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of WACOT Limited, Mr. Naveen Chaurasia, said the renewal reflected the company’s long-term commitment to Edo State and Nigeria’s agricultural development.

“Since 2017, we have demonstrated that a well-managed public-private partnership can revive moribund assets and deliver real value. WACOT and TGI Group remain focused on food security, local production, and empowering farmers with affordable, high-quality fertiliser,” Chaurasia said.

He thanked the Edo State Government for sustaining the partnership and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding the plant’s impact.

The statement said the collaboration was expected to improve farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, strengthen support for smallholder farmers and enhance the contribution of local fertiliser production to Nigeria’s food supply.

The Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investments, Hon. Omoh Anabor, who spoke on behalf of the state government, described the renewed agreement involving the government, ESFCCL and WACOT as a strategic move to position Edo State as a leading investment and industrial destination.

Anabor said the partnership would create opportunities for farmers, strengthen food security, promote job creation and encourage enterprise development in Auchi and other parts of the state.

The statement added that WACOT and TGI Group remained committed to collaborating with government and industry stakeholders to expand local fertiliser production and promote sustainable agricultural development across Nigeria.