Olams pilot farming project to boost tomato value chain
OLAM International, a leading agribusiness company, has launched a pilot farming project in Nigeria to boost the tomato value chain. Here are some key details about the project:
Objective: The project aims to improve the quality and quantity of tomatoes produced in Nigeria, increase farmers' income, and enhance the overall efficiency of the tomato value chain.
Key Components:
- Farmers' Training: OLAM will provide training to local farmers on best practices in tomato farming, including crop management, irrigation, and pest control.
- Seed Production: The company will establish a seed production program to provide high-quality tomato seeds to farmers, ensuring a consistent supply of disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties.
- Irrigation Systems: OLAM will install irrigation systems on participating farms to ensure consistent water supply and reduce the risk of crop failure due to drought.
- Post-Harvest Handling: The company will establish a network of cold storage facilities and transportation systems to ensure that harvested tomatoes are stored and transported efficiently, reducing post-harvest losses.
- Market Linkages: OLAM will establish relationships with local processors, wholesalers, and retailers to ensure a stable market for the tomatoes produced by participating farmers.
Benefits:
- Increased Farmers' Income: The project aims to increase farmers' income by improving yields, reducing post-harvest losses, and providing access to better market prices.
- Improved Food Security: By increasing tomato production and availability, the project will contribute to improved food security in Nigeria.
- Job Creation: The project is expected to create jobs in the agricultural sector, both directly and indirectly, through the establishment of new farms, processing facilities, and transportation networks.
- Economic Growth: The project will contribute to economic growth in Nigeria by increasing agricultural productivity, improving the competitiveness of the tomato value chain, and generating revenue for the government.
Partnerships: OLAM is partnering with local organizations, including the Nigerian Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM), to implement the project.
Timeline: The pilot project is expected to run for three years, with the first year focused on setting up the infrastructure and training farmers, and the subsequent two years focused on scaling up the project and evaluating its impact.
Overall, OLAM's pilot farming project aims to create a sustainable and efficient tomato value chain in Nigeria, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the broader economy.