Nasarawa benefits from Rockefeller Foundation’s rice initiative

Ade Adefeko, Head of Corporate and Government Relations of Olam Nigeria, in a statement said the company was selected because of its pioneering rice farm, which was showcased alongside seven other public, private and non-profit agricultural initiatives in Africa. The showcase was presented to an audience that included President Goodluck Jonathan and other influential leaders […]

Ade Adefeko, Head of Corporate and Government Relations of Olam Nigeria, in a statement said the company was selected because of its pioneering rice farm, which was showcased alongside seven other public, private and non-profit agricultural initiatives in Africa. The showcase was presented to an audience that included President Goodluck Jonathan and other influential leaders from international agencies.
The rice initiative will be implemented in two phases in the state and is expected to benefit both the company and local rice farm holders. He said, “A central commercial farm of 10,000 hectares acts as the nucleus, already providing employment to the local community.”
The company said by the end of 2014, these small rice farm holders and other investors will be able to participate in an ‘out grower scheme’ whereby  Olam will buy their rice at prevailing market prices in addition to the rice grown on the commercial farms. The company targets 16,000 farmers by 2018 with production capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year.
This approach helps to guarantee high productivity and good quality crops for Olam to purchase, while simultaneously providing a ready market for local farming communities. “Out growers will make up around 90% of the workforce, and once the farm is fully operational, over half of the workforce will be women. In addition, Olam Nigeria is partnering with the West African Rice Development Association to test new varieties of high-yield rice,” the statement said.
According to C.D. Glin, Associate Director at the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office, “Olam’s rice nucleus programme in Nigeria was selected as part of a showcase of practical and scalable ways to strengthen African agricultural markets and value chains to benefit economies and smallholder farmers.”
 He stressed that Olam’s approach to its Nigerian rice operation is unique for large corporations, and goes beyond standard corporate social responsibility practices. Through effective partnerships and innovative models, such as those highlighted in the case studies, they can transform African agriculture from a development problem to an economic opportunity.
 Olam’s Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Chris Brett, expressed happiness that the initiative has been recognised by the Rockefeller Foundation, at a time when demand for rice is rising.