Olam moves to boost sesame seed production in Bauchi

Federal government’s efforts on sustainable agricultural growth received a boost in Bauchi State with the inauguration of the sesame out-grower programme by Olam Nigeria limited.

The initiative, is anchored under Olam’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is engendered to empower Sesame farmers, and the actualisation of food sufficiency in Nigeria.

Speaking at the flag off of the empowerment programme, Olam Branch Manager, Roshan Tated, explained that the company embarked on a series of capacity building during the last farming season, which significantly enhanced the sesame cultivation in the state.

Motivated by the high yield of sesame production, Roshan revealed that out the grower programme is meant to further strengthen the sesame farming capacity through access to market place, and farming technique.

He revealed that Olam procured over 11,000 metric tonnes of Sesame seeds produced by the farmers, a rare gesture that would encourage farmers to invest more on sesame crop production in the state.

He said the 650 sesame farmers will benefit from the company’s training and improved agro commodities to enhance their production.

Roshan said: “We recorded the high harvest from Sesame cultivation this year, and this was not unconnected with the technical support given to the farmers. The development has impacted tremendously in job creation as well as in food security in the state. We can see that more farmers are cultivating sesame, which means more jobs direct and indirect job opportunity.”

He further noted, “We are presently assisting 650 farmers are participating in this year’s scheme in Ningi Local Government Area of the state. I want to inform you that the company is determined not only to assist you the farmers but to also assist boost food security in Nigeria.

“The company is glad with the collaborative relationship it entered into with the Bauchi State Agricultutal Development Project (BSADP), and the state Sesame farmers that resulted in increased interest in the cultivation of the commodity.

“Under the scheme, the company is providing high quality seeds, fertilisers and training materials to 650 farmers in Bauchi State. The company will also be buying back the harvested produce from the farmers at present market price.”

Olam Programme manager in Bauchi, Adebayo Solomon, said the company was encouraged by the response and enthusiasm of farmers and stakeholders on the out-growers’ programme, reassuring its intention to enlist more farmers in the scheme in subsequent years.

Olam Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary Olam International, a leading Singapore based agri-business operating from seed to shelf in 70 countries, supplying food and industrial raw material to over 23,000 customers across the world.