Firm to boost Nigeria’s rice production via €850,000 grant

Hemam Synergy recently launched the $1.3M (N1 The money is in the form of an N 485 billion) grant to assist 13,000 small holder rice farmers at Ibaji Local Government Area here. While supporting the government’s strong emphasis on local rice production, this project also seeks to increase farmers’ climate resilience and raise yields by transforming rural areas into centers for job creation among idle youth. Farmers will be trained and supported by more than 1,480 young extension service providers. The initiative CHIASA is co-funded by the Netherlands government through Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), and it will leverage on the Agricultural Operating System (AOS) to improve farmers’ socio-economic status.
Source: BusinessDay

Our Review
This is a major boost in further deepening the agricultural value chain to have Hemam Synergy’s Є850,000 assistance for 13,000 small holder rice farmers at Ibaji LGA of Kogi State, Nigeria. This will help tackle challenges like low yields, poor agronomic techniques and climate impacts through the provision of quality inputs, resilience training from climate change and tech-enabled extension services. Increasing rice paddy yields from 1.5 to 4.5t/ha, the project increases production levels and provides a stepping stone towards economic stability in rural areas with high poverty rates
The participation by 1,480 young extension service providers is a good illustration of the project’s twin focus on youth empowerment and increased agricultural productivity. By turning informal farming to sustainable jobs, particularly for young women, Hemam Synergy is supporting inclusive development and alleviating urban migration pressures.
The program for businesses shows further need of incorporating technology, training and adaptation to climate change in agriculture. These efforts are key to agriculture-led sustainable growth, even more so when discussing food security and resilience in the Nigerian agricultural value chain.