Olam Drives Nigeria’s Wheat Production with N300m Investment

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Olam Group, the parent company of the Crown Flour Mill Limited (CFM), has launched a N300 million ($750,000) project for community seed enterprises that would increase wheat production in Nigeria.

A press release that was issued by Olam, which was made available to THISDAY, said that the seed enterprise project would be pursued in conjunction with the CFM and the partnership of the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI).

The press release added that the investment, which was launched virtually last week, is a 10-year wheat value chain project that would strengthen agricultural production in northern Nigeria’s wheat farming belt, underline Olam’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in food production and encourage participation of women in the country’s agriculture.

Speaking during the launch of the project, the Managing Director of CFM, Mr. Ashish Pande, said: “In order to ensure the long-term viability of the wheat sector in Nigeria, it is critical to identify and support the development of high-yielding local wheat varieties. This project will further stimulate the federal government’s drive towards the attainment of economic growth, the country’s agricultural research capabilities, employment generation, community development and the economic empowerment of women in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the partnership with the LCRI, the Principal Research Officer of the LCRI, Dr. Kachalla Kyari Mala, said: “The institute is delighted to be a part of this intervention, as it represents a laudable private sector financial support and contribution to all the work done and other ongoing research endeavours by the LCRI in the area of wheat development.”

Similarly, the Senior Scientist, Durum Wheat Breeder of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Dr. Filippo M Bassi, said: “The selection of female farmer associations as community enterprises is premised on the fact that investing in rural women has proven to yield nearly double the development outcomes than previously done so. Women farmers are conscientious with their use of income, deploying it wisely, re-investing it in innovations and seeking the betterment of the whole community. African women are the true glue that keep the community together.”