The BATN Foundation has partnered with the agribusiness arm of Southwest Agriculture Company (SWAgCo) in a new initiative aimed at transforming agriculture and empowering smallholder farmers across Nigeria’s southwest region. This partnership, announced at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Odu’a Investment Company Limited—under which SWAgCo operates—is part of a broader N10 billion joint venture to industrialise agriculture and harness the region’s economic potential.
One of the first projects under this collaboration is a N65 million maize production initiative at the Oke-Ako Agribusiness Hub in Ekiti State. The project features a N32 million revolving grant and will benefit 100 smallholder farmers by providing them with access to credit, high-quality farm inputs, technical support, and guaranteed markets for their produce.
According to the general manager of the BATN Foundation, the initiative represents a strong step towards reshaping agriculture in the region and improving the lives of farmers who are central to Nigeria’s food systems. He highlighted the importance of combining resources and technical expertise to boost productivity, enhance local value chains, and generate long-term economic gains for rural communities.
The BATN Foundation reaffirmed its belief that strategic partnerships like this are crucial for achieving food security, inclusive agricultural growth, and progress toward Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
The signing of the partnership agreement drew attendance from key industry and government stakeholders, including the Group Chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, an independent director, and the Executive Director of the BATN Foundation. Representatives from various state governments in the southwest and other agricultural sector players were also present.
As more collaborative projects are expected to unfold under the SWAgCo initiative, the BATN Foundation pledged continued support for building resilient rural economies and elevating the role of smallholder farmers in national food production.
