In a strategic move to build a climate-resilient agricultural sector, AGRA, Nestlé Nigeria, and TechnoServe have launched the Strengthening Farmers’ and SMEs’ Resilience through Climate Smart Grain Production and Accessing the Structured Markets (StreFaS) initiative. The three-year programme, funded by AGRA and Nestlé, will run from June 2024 to October 2027 and is set to impact 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators in Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
StreFaS is designed to integrate regenerative agriculture into every phase of the grain value chain, focusing on crops such as maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum. The programme aims to enhance soil health, cut greenhouse gas emissions, boost biodiversity, and fortify economic resilience, particularly for youth and women farmers. A key aspect of the project is its emphasis on linking smallholder farmers to formal markets—including Nestlé’s supply chain—offering premium prices for climate-smart produce.
The launch event, held in Zaria, Kaduna State, brought together government representatives, private-sector stakeholders, development partners, and members of the media. Keynote speeches and a farmer’s case study highlighted the transformative potential of climate-smart practices.
TechnoServe Nigeria’s Country Director described the initiative as a major shift for Nigeria’s agriculture, noting that it goes beyond boosting yields to restoring soil health and farmer dignity. AGRA’s Country Director reaffirmed the importance of rebuilding ecosystems that support farming, while Nestlé Nigeria’s CEO emphasized the company’s $1 million investment and global goal to source half of its key ingredients through regenerative agriculture by 2030.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture praised the partnership and called for continued collaboration to promote food security and climate resilience. On the sidelines of the event, MAGGI celebrated soya bean farmers who were part of a pilot project, one of whom reported a 100 percent yield increase due to the new practices.
StreFaS aligns with AGRA’s 3.0 Country Strategy, Nestlé’s 2030 climate goals, and TechnoServe’s market-driven development approach. As the programme advances, it promises to scale regenerative practices that are not only environmentally sound but also economically viable, while deepening collaboration across Nigeria’s grain value chain.
