Olam, farmers partner to boost sesame production

About 500 farmers from Bauchi state are to be trained on modern sustainable agronomic practices that will produce higher yield and quality products of Sesame in their communities as part of measures initiated by Olam Nigeria limited, to enhance food security in the country.

The benefiting farmers are among the 2000 sesame farmers drawn from four northern states including, Nassarawa, Jigawa and Benue, earmarked to be integrated in the company’s sesame seed out-grower scheme initiative of the agro allied company.

Regional Manager of Olam Nigeria, Dip Sinha, who unveiled the development recently, during distribution of assorted fertilisers, pesticides for crop protection and other farming inputs to selected sesame farmers in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state noted that the company is committed to facilitate agriculture in Northern part of the country.

Dip who posited that the partnership, which is in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agriculture Development Project (BSADP), would be incorporated with similar technical support enabling sesame farmers in the country.

According to Dip “ Under the scheme, Olam has already distributed over 5000 bags of Fertilizer, as well as best quality seeds free, pesticides for crop protection and training manuals to the farmers for adoption of best practice in pre and post-harvest farming techniques.

“We are glad to be partnering with the Bauchi State Agriculture Development Project (BSADP) in this venture which is going to provide training on modern sustainable agronomic practices that will translate into higher yield and quality products for the farmers.

“The out grower scheme tagged ‘Olam’s Model Farm Village’ has already been inaugurated in the states of Jigawa, Nassarawa, and Benue, in addition to Bauchi”, Sinha explained.

Olam’s Regional Manager noted that the company has concluded plans to empower the farmers with access to global market adding that the initiative was an integral part of Olam Livelihood Charter (OLC) aimed at improving livelihood for the common man.

Programme Manager of the project, Alh. Adamu Bello said the scheme is part of the corporate social responsibility of Olam Nigeria for sustainability, saying that the company is encouraged by the positive responses of farmers and stakeholders to the project.

Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the state, Alh.Gazali Abubakar applauded the initiative of the company stressing that the move was in line with the aspiration of the present administration in the country to make agriculture the core of the nation`s economic development.

He assured the commitment of his government to sustain partner with Olam Nigeria in an efforts to boost the cultivation of sesame farming in the state.