Wacot, BUK sign MOU on Sesame Farmers’ Academy

WACOT Limited, a member of the TGI Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

According to the Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Habiba Suleiman, the alliance is aimed at elevating the WACOT Sesame Farmers Academy operations located in Gumel, Jigawa State.

Over the next four years, the MoU will foster a dynamic collaboration, empowering sesame farmers through capacity building, advanced training curricula, and essential certification programmes.

The partnership will also facilitate groundbreaking research on sesame varieties and crop technologies and initiatives for afforestation and the restoration of indigenous plants and trees.

Suleiman, who expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasised the profound expertise of BUK’s Centre for Dryland Agriculture in boosting crop and livestock productivity within Nigeria’s semi-arid and dry sub-humid environments.

Suleiman said: “This collaboration aims to produce Academy graduates armed with advanced knowledge, leading to increased yields and superior financial outcomes for our farmers and nation.

“We envision a future where resilient food and agricultural systems play a vital role in achieving food security goals. This partnership with the CDA, renowned for innovative research, represents TGI’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge research into our agribusiness operations.”

It was learnt that the partnership with BUK is a strategic complement to WACOT’s noteworthy achievement last year – obtaining ECOCERT certification for Sesame, which allows the exportation of organic sesame produced in Gumel, to North America and Europe.

The Deputy Director of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture BUK, Professor Amina Mustapha, said, “We are thrilled about this partnership with WACOT, as it aligns perfectly with the centre’s vision of driving sustained development impact through farmer engagement and private sector collaboration.”

With Nigeria standing as one of the world’s leading producers of sesame seeds, accounting for 80 per cent of the country’s yearly production, WACOT has been at the forefront of cultivating this sought-after crop.

“Over the past six years, their tireless efforts have mobilised over 10,000 farmers, forming cooperatives and equipping more than 5,000 farmers with indispensable techniques, including best agricultural practices and yield enhancement methods, further reinforced by regular farm advisory services.

According to the firm, with the global sesame seeds market projected to reach $21.57b by 2028, the strategic partnership sets the stage for an even brighter future for Nigeria’s sesame farmers, solidifying the critical role of such alliances in contributing to the growth and prosperity of our agricultural sector.