Nigerian Agribusiness Giant Lands €1.26M Boost to Transform 3,500 Farmers' Fortunes

In a major win for sustainable farming, WACOT Limited has clinched a €1.26 million grant from DEG Impulse under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development's develoPPP program. The company plans to match the amount with its own €1.26 million contribution, fueling a bold three-year effort to uplift 3,500 smallholder sesame growers in Jigawa and Kebbi States.

This fresh initiative picks up where WACOT's groundbreaking 2020 organic sesame pilot left off. That earlier trial not only more than doubled the country's typical yields but also snagged prestigious ECOCERT certification on the global stage. Now, the expanded project dives deeper, equipping farmers with hands-on training, eco-friendly inputs, agroforestry techniques, timely weather warnings, and pathways to better financial access. To top it off, WACOT pledges to buy every bit of their certified organic crop at premium rates, locking in stability and higher earnings for these vital producers.

Naveen Chaurasia, WACOT's managing director, hailed the funding as a game-changer. "This grant underscores our deep-rooted dedication to sustainable agriculture and the hardworking smallholders who drive Nigeria's farming heartland," he said. "Expanding our proven organic sesame approach does more than guarantee a reliable, traceable supply for our mills, it lifts entire families by boosting incomes twofold, building defenses against climate shifts, and pumping up the nation's non-oil export coffers. It's living proof of TGI Group's mantra: earning the goodwill of the people."

Echoing that enthusiasm, Habiba Suleiman, head of strategic partnerships at parent company Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, spotlighted the power of collaboration. "Teaming up with DEG Impulse and BMZ shows how blending business savvy with growth objectives sparks real, lasting wins," she noted. "At TGI, we're all in on nurturing rural areas and sparking economic sparks. Leading the charge in organic and climate-smart methods here means a greener planet and brighter prospects for our farms."

With climate pressures mounting and global demand for ethical produce on the rise, this partnership stands as a beacon for African agribusiness. By weaving in resilience and profitability, WACOT isn't just growing sesame, it's sowing seeds for a more equitable food future.