Victor EzejaAlliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Nestlé Nigeria, and TechnoServe have launched an initiative aimed at building a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria.
The initiative which is tagged “Strengthening Farmers’ and SMEs’ Resilience through Climate Smart Grain Production and Accessing the Structured Markets” (StreFaS), is a three-year scheme funded by AGRA and Nestlé, that will run from June 2024 to October 2027.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe programme aims to support 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators across Kaduna and Nasarawa States, promoting sustainable production of maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum.
It focuses on integrating regenerative agriculture into every step of the value chain, with particular emphasis on empowering youth and women.
StreFaS will help improve soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase biodiversity, and strengthen economic resilience.
The programme is also designed to connect smallholder farmers to formal markets, including Nestlé’s supply chain, enabling them to receive premium prices for climate-smart produce.
The launch event, held in Zaria, Kaduna State, brought together high-level representatives from the government, development partners, private-sector stakeholders, and members of the media. The event featured keynote speeches from implementing partners, a case study from a climate-smart farmer, and a powerful project overview underscoring the initiative’s role in transforming Nigeria’s grain value chains.
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Speaking at the launch, Country Director of TechnoServe Nigeria, Mrs. Adesuwa Akinboro, described the StreFaS initiative as a transformative step for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
“This project represents a bold commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive in the face of climate change,” Akinboro stated.
StreFaS is not just about boosting yields—it’s about regenerating our soils, restoring dignity to farming, and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for communities across Kaduna and Nasarawa States,” she added.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Rufus Idris, AGRA’s Country Director for Nigeria said: “We are proud to co-lead this initiative that puts farmers first — not just by introducing new practices, but by rebuilding the very ecosystems that sustain farming — core to AGRA’s approach to sustainable and resilient food systems transformation.”
CEO of Nestlé Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, said the company’s partnership in the initiative underscores its commitment to sustainable approach in sourcing ingredients and decarbonizing the value chain.
“At Nestlé, we believe that good food starts with high-quality ingredients and the well-being of the people who produce them. Our partnership in this initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable sourcing and decarbonizing our value chain. Globally, we aim to source at least 50% of our key ingredients from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture by 2030.
“With an investment of over $1,000,000 in this project over the next three years, we aim to contribute towards establishing regenerative agriculture as the standard in the food industry, addressing both environmental and social priorities holistically.”
Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Muhammad Dabo, noted that the launch of the initiative marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable agricultural future.
Hon. Dabo commended TechnoServe, Nestle Nigeria and AGRA for their dedication to promoting climate-smart agriculture practices in Kaduna State.
“Let us continue to work together to empower farmers, improve food security, and build a climate-resilient agricultural sector. I wish you all the best in this endeavor,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
