WACOT, BUK Sign MOU on Sesame Farmers Academy

WACOT Limited, a member of the TGI Group and a prominent player in Nigeria’s agricultural production and value chain, has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK). This strategic alliance aims to elevate the WACOT Sesame Farmers Academy operations located in Gumel, Jigawa State.

Over the next four years, this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will foster a dynamic collaboration, empowering sesame farmers through capacity building, advanced training curricula, and essential certification programs. 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.

Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Habiba Suleiman, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing 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 stated, “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,” Suleiman added.

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 Center’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 percent of the country’s annual production, WACOT has been at the forefront of cultivating this sought-after crop. Over the past six years, their tireless efforts have mobilized 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.