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 in a bid to build a climate-resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria.
StreFaS is a three-year initiative, funded by AGRA and Nestlé that will run from June 2025 to October 2027, and aims to support 25,000 smallholder farmers and eight aggregators across Kaduna and Nasarawa states, promoting sustainable production of maize, soybean, rice, and sorghum.
The StreFaS initiative is aligned with AGRA’s 3.0 country strategy, Nestlé’s 2030 Climate resilience sourcing goals, and TechnoServe’s proven expertise in building market-driven solutions for rural prosperity.
Murtala Muhammad Dabo, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Kaduna State, stated that the launch marks a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards a more sustainable agricultural future.
“I commend TechnoServe and its partners for their dedication to promoting climate-smart agriculture practices in Kaduna State. Let us continue to work together to empower farmers, improve food security, and build a climate-resilient agricultural sector. I wish you all the best in this endeavor.”
By connecting smallholder farmers to better tools, markets, and capital, StreFaS will scale regeneration in ways that are profitable and empowering.
The program is also expected to deepen collaboration with government, private sector, and civil society partners as implementation continues to sustain scalable change across Nigeria’s grain value chain.
“At Nestlé, we believe that good food starts with high-quality ingredients and the well-being of the people who produce them. Our partnership in this initiative underscores our commitment to sustainable sourcing and decarbonizing our value chain,” Wassim Elhusseini, CEO, Nestlé Nigeria, stated.
According to him, Nestlé aims to source at least 50 percent of its key ingredients from farmers practicing regenerative agriculture by 2030, globally. “With an investment of over $1,000,000 in this project over the next three years, we aim to contribute towards establishing regenerative agriculture as the standard in the food industry, addressing both environmental and social priorities holistically.”
Adesuwa Akinboro, country director, TechnoServe Nigeria, earlier in her welcome address described the STREFAS initiative as a transformative step for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
She stated that the project represents a bold commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses with the tools, knowledge, and market access they need to thrive in the face of climate change.
“STREFAS is not just about boosting yields—it’s about regenerating our soils, restoring dignity to farming, and creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for communities across Kaduna and Nasarawa States,” Akinboro stated.
Rufus Idris, country director for Nigeria, AGRA, stated that the initiative will help improve soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase biodiversity, and strengthen economic resilience.
“We are proud to co-lead this initiative that puts farmers first — not just by introducing new practices, but by rebuilding the very ecosystems that sustain farming — core to AGRA’s approach to sustainable and resilient food systems transformation,” Idris stated.
