ICMG Commodities targets 5,000 soya beans Out-growers in Kebbi

A commodity company, ICMG Commodities Limited, is to engage 5,000 out-growers in soyabeans production, with each out-grower cultivating a minimum of one hectare in Kebbi State. ICMG Commodities Limited said it is poised to play in the entire agric-value-chain of production, processing and trading of major commodities in Nigeria having been advisers to Kebbi State […]

A commodity company, ICMG Commodities Limited, is to engage 5,000 out-growers in soyabeans production, with each out-grower cultivating a minimum of one hectare in Kebbi State.
ICMG Commodities Limited said it is poised to play in the entire agric-value-chain of production, processing and trading of major commodities in Nigeria having been advisers to Kebbi State Government for over 12 months in the Kebbi State Agric – Value- Chain Revitalization Programme, which has recorded tremendous success in production of rice, wheat and other grains.
The production support to Kebbi State includes project design, technology support, improved farm practices, farmers’ education and attraction of investors (local and international).
Mr. Frans Ojielu, Global Financial Advisor, ICMG, said the decision to move massively into soyabeans and other grains production and processing aligns with the strategic fit of the organization to support the economic diversification efforts of the federal government as exemplified by the stellar performance of Kebbi State.
He said in the last dry season, Kebbi State engaged over 78,000 out-growers for rice production with strong advisory support from ICMG. 
“The uniqueness of the ICMG Commodities support to Kebbi is that it is a one-stop solution which involves the deployment of innovative practices, technology, on-farm assessment and deployment of corrective measures working with global bodies.  In this respect, ICMG is already in discussion with key multinationals with a view to investing in Nigerian agric production,’’ he said.
Frans Ojielu particularly recalled the challenge the programme faced during the fuel scarcity experienced in the early part of the year in which the farmers had problems obtaining fuel to power their irrigation pumps. 
The incidence, he added, which would have marred the programme was saved by the swift intervention of the state governor, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, who went out of his way to secure fuel for the farmers and ensured availability of fuel throughout the period of the scarcity.
Arising from that experience, he said ICMG and one of its technical partners, Caps Clean Energy Limited, are   in the process of testing solar energy as alternative power source as part of reducing input costs for the farmers.  The technology will also ensure that farmers have uninterrupted operations with salutary effects on production volumes.
He said judging from the magnitude of ICMG support and the commitment of the Governor of Kebbi State and his agric- value chain revitalization team, Kebbi State will be producing about 50% of Nigeria’s rice requirements by 2017 with a view of Nigeria being a net exporter of rice by 2020, perfectly aligning with the  “Green Alternative” Programme recently unfolded by the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh.
He added that ICMG is committed to making agribusiness attractive to the teaming Nigerian youths thereby contributing to employment generation.
‘’It  is currently in discussions with its technical partners to develop the next sets of  agri-entrepreneurs, who will see farming as a rewarding business relying on modern technology, implements, mechanization and appropriate work-dresses reflecting health and safety as applicable to large industrial enterprises.