Olam Agri, in collaboration with IDH and Nigerian agricultural development firm Arzikin Noma, has announced a new partnership aimed at boosting soybean production across farming communities in Kwara State. The initiative is expected to benefit 5,000 smallholder farmers, with a strong focus on women and youth.
In a statement released on Friday, the three organisations revealed that the programme will help farmers improve productivity, gain access to financial and technical support, and link them directly to stable markets. The goal is to strengthen local agricultural value chains, especially in the soybean segment, and promote sustainable farming practices that can support economic growth and food security in Nigeria.
Soybean is one of Nigeria’s critical crops, with applications in food, animal feed, and various industrial products. It is a major source of protein and oil, and its demand continues to grow in both domestic and international markets. However, despite the potential, smallholder farmers in Nigeria often face challenges like low yields, limited access to capital, and lack of proper equipment or market access.
Country Director of IDH Nigeria, Eniola Fabusoro, described the initiative as a bridge between multinational firms and local farmers. He said, “We are excited to partner with Olam Agri and Arzikin Noma to boost productivity across the soybean value chain in Kwara State. This partnership exemplifies our approach to bridging the gap between large corporations and smallholder farmers through local partners. By combining our networks, resources, and field experience with proven SMEs like Arzikin Noma, we can transform supply chains while ensuring measurable impact for 5,000 farmers and long-term value for all stakeholders.”
The Managing Director of Arzikin Noma, Adeoluwa Adeshola, stated that the collaboration is a significant step in strengthening food security and supporting sustainable agriculture. “Our commitment to food security and sustainable farming remains strong. This partnership in Kwara will raise both the quality and quantity of soybean produced locally, and we are proud to play a role in driving that progress,” he said.
Shailendra Mishra, Global Sustainability Head for Grains, Oilseeds, Feed & Freight at Olam Agri, noted that the initiative aligns with broader global efforts to promote regenerative agriculture. “This partnership marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and inclusive soybean value chain in Nigeria. The impact of this initiative extends far beyond the immediate participants; it serves as a model for how regenerative agriculture can transform communities, restore soil health, and drive economic growth,” he said.
Vice President and Soybean Project Head at Olam Agri, Mustafa Turra, added that the initiative will improve local farmer incomes and strengthen the company’s supply network. “By investing in this project and serving as the off-taker for locally produced soybeans, we are not only strengthening our supply chain but also ensuring that farmers have reliable, transparent, and rewarding opportunities to sell their produce,” Turra said.
The intervention will provide smallholder farmers in Kwara State with credit facilities to buy seeds and other inputs, access to mechanisation services, training in modern and sustainable farming techniques, and financial inclusion opportunities. Farmers will also be linked to off-takers to guarantee market access for their harvests.
The partnership will also support the supply needs of Olam Agri’s new soybean processing facility in Kwara State, which has a capacity of 350,000 metric tonnes. The plant sources soybeans primarily from local farmers, further emphasising the importance of improving local production capacity to meet growing industrial demand for feed and oil.
This latest initiative builds on Olam Agri’s Seeds for the Future programme, which has been active since 2021 in supporting smallholder farmers through technical assistance, community engagement, and long-term development projects.
As global food systems come under increasing pressure from climate change, economic challenges, and population growth, public-private partnerships like this are becoming more crucial in Nigeria’s agricultural space. By combining capital investment, technical expertise, and community-based engagement, the soybean project in Kwara aims to become a model for similar programmes across the country.
