Value Seeds Limited, an indigenous crop seed production, solution, and development company, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, will empower 10,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria with the distribution of farm supplements.
Women will constitute 70 per cent of the program’s participants who will be selected from 22 local
governments in five states, including Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Benue, and Katsina.
The agricultural supplements to be distributed include fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, agrochemicals,
Knapsack sprayers, and sachet tomato seeds. In addition to the provision of farm inputs for maize
and rice seedlings, the program will also promote financial inclusion, support the improvement of
yield, provide access to best agronomical practices, and create linkages to premium markets.
In 2021, 4,000 women and youth will be provided with farm inputs and training for agronomical
practices, especially in maize and rice farming and an additional 6,000 women and youth will be
impacted in 2022. Between May – July 2021, Value Seeds was able to complete the first and
second distribution of inputs to participants.
A female participant in the program, Amina Marcus, noted that the interventions provided by the
company through the provision of quality farm inputs and training has contributed to improving
both her farm yield and financial standing.
“Before 2020, we had challenges accessing quality inputs, especially fertilizers and high yielding
seeds. My highest yield, on average, did not exceed six bags of maize production,” she said.
“But last year, I participated in the program and had access to quality smart seeds, fertilizers, and
agrochemicals. Now, I can harvest 11 bags at a time. I would say the impact has been quite
phenomenal in the last season with a better yield. I have been able to support my family financially
and save up some money in the process.”
Value Seeds Limited Managing Director, George Zangir, who is leading the initiative, says he was
excited to see a large number of Nigerian youth and women participating in the program given
how far-reaching the impact will be on the economy.
“It is good to know that women in these locations are showing great interest in agriculture and especially farming. They are now fully involved in the entire agricultural value chain, which will directly impact our economy. As they say, when you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” he added.
In her remarks, Nigeria Country Head for the Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson, stated
that the intervention for women and youth participating in the initiative is aligned with the vision of
the Foundation to see young people access dignified and fulfilling work.
“We are delighted to see women and youth harnessing the opportunity to become farmers and successful entrepreneurs,” Lawanson said.
“This will ultimately help achieve food sufficiency and grow the economy, particularly at a time
when the COVID-19 pandemic is severely affecting the global economy.”
