Nestlé has launched a scheme in Africa which aims to train around 1,000 farmers in northern Nigeria on good agricultural practices and become more entrepreneurial.
The two-year pilot scheme, which will run
until 2018, is being launched with the International Fertilizer Development
Centre (IFDC).
Its aim is to help smallholder famers, around
40 percent of whom are women, in the country so they can increase yields of
staple crops millet and sorghum in West African meals.
Nestlé sources about 7,000 tonnes of sorghum
from farmers in northern Nigeria which it uses as a substitute malt ingredient
to tailor its products to match the preferred tastes of the local population.
Nestlé will train the farmers to manage
farming as a business, with a focus on crop quality and safety.
It is hoped the training scheme will run
beyond two years and grow in size over time.
“Our new collaboration with IFDC, together
with farmer groups and supplier partners, looks to support farmers in northern
Nigeria by providing them with the tools and capabilities to produce
high-quality, disease-resistant crops for future food security,” said Dharnesh
Gordhon, managing director for Nestlé Nigeria.
“Improving
the quality of sourced millet and sorghum will not only provide safer
ingredients for local communities and consumers, it will also empower farmers
to develop a sustainable farming business and boost their financial status and independence.”
http://naija247news.com/2016/06/nestle-to-train-1000-northern-nigerian-farmers-in-agricultural-practices/
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