No fewer than 10,000 farmers in Oyo, Ogun, and Kwara States are set to benefit from the Sorghum Value Chain Transformation Project launched by Arzikin Noma, a leading agricultural firm. The initiative aims to promote sorghum cultivation as a cost-effective alternative to wheat and barley, widely used in beer, beverages, and livestock feed production.
Speaking at the launch in Ikeja, Lagos, Arzikin Noma’s Managing Director, Adeoluwa Adesola, emphasized the project’s potential to address food inflation and strengthen food security. “Private entities must collaborate with smallholder farmers to scale production and tackle rising food costs,” he said. Adesola highlighted the company’s previous success with over 40,000 smallholder farmers in Northern Nigeria and East Africa.
Under the initiative, participating farmers will receive high-yield sorghum seeds, essential resources, training, and financial support through a partnership with the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative. Interested farmers in the three states are encouraged to register for the program.
Kwara State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Oluwatoyosi Thomas, expressed support for the project but urged farmers to honor agreements to ensure its long-term success. “Integrity is key. Challenges in loan repayment or produce returns can hinder expansion to other farmers,” she noted.
Dr. Ademola Otunba praised Arzikin Noma’s strategy of securing a ready market before full implementation, reducing post-harvest losses. Meanwhile, stakeholder Kolade Orilade lauded the initiative’s environmental benefits, highlighting its potential to promote sustainability through strategic afforestation.
With this project, Arzikin Noma aims to empower farmers while advancing food security and environmental sustainability across the region.
