The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has launched a new agricultural development initiative, the Sustainable Development of Maize Micro-Enterprise Farmers Project, aimed at empowering over 100 smallholder maize farmers in Oke-Ako community, Ekiti State. The initiative officially kicked off on June 17, 2025, with a well-attended ceremony that brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, traditional institutions, and agricultural development partners.
Speaking on behalf of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, the Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to agriculture as a cornerstone of economic growth. He praised the project as a practical expression of the state’s vision to use agriculture as a sustainable development tool. “This project aligns with our broader vision of sustainable development through agriculture. Empowering farmers is central to our strategy for inclusive growth,” Adebayo said.
The project is led by the BATN Foundation in partnership with two implementing organisations—SwagCo and Westlink—who are tasked with driving strategy and execution respectively. According to the Foundation’s General Manager, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, the initiative is designed to transform smallholder maize farmers into profitable micro-enterprises while also promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
“This is not just about farming. It’s about turning farmers into entrepreneurs and agents of rural transformation,” Odusanya said. “Farmers are the backbone of the food system. Supporting them is investing in development, sustainability, and food security.”
The key components of the project include the distribution of improved, high-yield maize seeds, climate-smart agronomic training, market linkage facilitation, and access to financial support. These elements are tailored to help the farmers transition from subsistence farming to sustainable, commercially viable businesses.
To strengthen the impact and ensure long-term results, the project also features the creation of community-based support systems and continuous agricultural extension services. These systems are intended to encourage the adoption of improved farming techniques, ensure accountability, and promote knowledge-sharing among beneficiaries.
The role of Odu’a Investment Company in supporting regional agricultural transformation was also acknowledged during the event. The Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, was in attendance, alongside other dignitaries including the Regent of Oke-Ako, Kabiyesi Mrs. Adebayo; Chairman of SwagCo, Mr. Owolabi Salami; and the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluade.
In his remarks, Mr. Odusanya emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners in achieving sustainable results. “This is proof of what can be achieved when the public sector, private organisations, and development partners work hand-in-hand,” he noted.
Addressing the farmers directly, he said, “You are the true champions. No Farmers, No Nation. Great Farmers, Great Nation.”
For many farmers in the Oke-Ako community, the project offers not just agricultural inputs but an opportunity to reshape their livelihoods. With rising food prices and increasing climate pressures, support for smallholder farmers has become even more critical to Nigeria’s food security and rural development efforts.
The maize micro-enterprise initiative is part of BATNF’s broader mission to uplift smallholder farmers across Nigeria through targeted investments, training, and market support. Over the years, the Foundation has worked to promote inclusive growth by helping rural farmers improve productivity, adopt sustainable practices, and gain better access to finance and markets.
With this new phase in Oke-Ako, BATN Foundation continues its commitment to reducing poverty, enhancing food systems, and building resilient agricultural communities in Nigeria.
