The BATN Foundation has partnered with the agribusiness arm of southwest Agriculture Company (SWAgCo) to drive sustainable agricultural development and empower smallholder farmers across Nigeria’s southwest region.
In a statement made available to BusinessDay, the partnership, announced during the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Odu’a Investment Company Limited – the agribusiness arm of SWAgCo – forms part of the firm’s N10 billion joint venture initiative aimed at industrialising agriculture in the region and unlocking its full economic potential.
One of the first projects under this collaboration is a N65 million maize production initiative at the Oke-Ako Agribusiness Hub in Ekiti State.
The project includes a N32 million revolving grant and targets 100 smallholder farmers, providing them with access to credit, quality inputs, technical training, and structured markets.
“This partnership is a bold step toward industrialising agriculture and uplifting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers who form the backbone of our food systems,” said Oludare Odusanya, general manager of the BATN Foundation.
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“By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to scale up productivity, strengthen local value chains, and create long-term economic opportunities for rural communities.”
The BATN noted that strategic partnerships like this are essential to achieving food security, promoting inclusive agricultural growth, and advancing Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.
The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Group chairman of Odu’a Investment Company Limited; Folusho Olaniyan, Group independent director; Halimat Shuaibu, executive director of the BATN Foundation, as well as representatives from state governments across the southwest and other agricultural stakeholders.
As more collaborative investments roll out under the SWAgCo initiative, the BATN Foundation says it remains committed to building resilient rural economies and empowering smallholder farmers at the heart of Nigeria’s food production system.
