WACOT Limited, a member of the TGI Group, has taken a significant step towards empowering sesame farmers in Nigeria through a strategic collaboration with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The partnership which was sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently, aims to elevate the operations of the WACOT Sesame Farmers Academy located in Gumel, Jigawa State.
Over the next four years, the MoU between WACOT and BUK’s CDA will focus on empowering sesame farmers through capacity building, advanced training curricula, and essential certification programs.
The partnership also aims to drive groundbreaking research on sesame varieties and crop technologies, as well as initiatives for afforestation and the restoration of indigenous plants and trees.
Habiba Suleiman, Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and highlighted the expertise of BUK’s Centre for Dryland Agriculture in boosting crop and livestock productivity in Nigeria’s semi-arid and dry sub-humid environments.
She emphasized that the partnership aims to produce academy graduates armed with advanced knowledge, leading to increased yields and improved financial outcomes for farmers and the nation.
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The partnership with BUK complements WACOT’s achievement last year when it obtained ECOCERT certification for sesame. This certification allows the exportation of organic sesame produced in Gumel, Jigawa State, to North America and Europe.
Prof. Amina Mustapha, Deputy Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture at BUK, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating that it aligns perfectly with the Centre’s vision of driving sustained development impact through farmer engagement and private sector collaboration.
Nigeria stands as one of the world’s leading producers of sesame seeds, accounting for 80% of the country’s annual production.
WACOT has been at the forefront of cultivating this sought-after crop, mobilizing over 10,000 farmers and equipping more than 5,000 farmers with vital techniques, including best agricultural practices and yield enhancement methods.
Moreover, TGI Group companies have provided over N1 billion in agri-input credit financing over the last six years, empowering farmers with essential resources like fertilizers, agrochemicals, and certified seeds across various value chains, including sesame and rice.
WACOT also secures a stable market for sesame produce through a buyback arrangement with farmer cooperatives.
With the global sesame seeds market projected to reach $21.57 billion by 2028, this strategic partnership sets the stage for a brighter future for Nigeria’s sesame farmers, solidifying the critical role of such alliances in contributing to the growth and prosperity of the country’s agricultural sector.
