BATNF trains 1,000 maize farmers in Ogun

The British American Tobacco Foundation, in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, has initiated the Maize Empowerment Project, benefitting over 1,000 farmers in Ogun State.

This strategic partnership aims to bolster maize farming by equipping farmers with essential skills and knowledge, ultimately enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainability along the maize value chain.

BATNF, committed to empowering smallholder farmers since its inception in 2002, focuses on crop production, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability.

By teaming up with government bodies like the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, BATNF tailors programs to meet the unique needs of farmers and rural communities nationwide.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owotomo, underscored the project’s role in promoting food security and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

Read also:

• 
  Nigeria takes bold step to protect domestic workers as bill advances
• 
  FG, Benue partner to transform livestock sector, unlock $74bn growth potential
• 
  NDDC empowers 300 Niger Delta rice farmers with N200,000 starter packs

Through the Maize Empowerment Project, 1,000 farmers received comprehensive training in best agricultural practices, with 500 beneficiaries receiving essential farm inputs and pesticides for the planting season.

Oludare Odusanya, the General Manager of BATNF, emphasized the collaborative effort’s objective of strengthening maize farmers’ capabilities in the state.

The project prioritizes empowering women and youth, fostering innovation, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating access to lucrative markets within the maize value chain.

BATNF’s substantial investment of over N4 billion has significantly supported rural smallholder farmers, benefiting more than 1.7 million individuals nationwide since 2002.

However, the Maize Empowerment Project strategically addresses key challenges within the maize value chain, including low crop yields, limited access to improved seeds and fertilizers, ineffective pest and disease management, suboptimal post-harvest handling, and inadequate access to profitable markets.