Olam Agri, IDH and Arzikin Noma join forces to empower soybean farmers in Nigeria

NIGERIA – Olam Agri, a leading agribusiness in food, feed, and fibre has entered a strategic partnership with IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative, and Arzikin Noma, a local agricultural development firm, to strengthen soybean production in Kwara State, Nigeria.

The collaboration targets the empowerment of 5,000 smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, through a multifaceted support programme aimed at enhancing sustainable production and market access.

The partnership comes as Olam Agri establishes a new 350,000 metric tonne soybean processing facility in Kwara State. The facility is expected to source a significant portion of its raw materials from local farmers, creating a critical need for a more efficient and sustainable supply chain.

The joint initiative builds on Olam Agri’s Seeds for the Future programme, which has supported Nigerian farmer communities since 2021, and now aims to extend its impact by scaling support to thousands of new growers in soybean-producing areas.

The support framework under this agreement includes access to credit facilities for farm inputs, mechanisation services, training in climate-smart agriculture, financial inclusion tools, and structured market linkages. In addition to direct farmer empowerment, the initiative is set to promote regenerative farming practices, such as crop rotation and soil health management, to support long-term sustainability in the soybean value chain.

“This partnership with IDH and Arzikin Noma marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and inclusive soybean value chain in Nigeria,” said Dr. Shailendra Mishra, Global Sustainability Head, Grains, Oilseeds, Feed & Freight at Olam Agri.

According to him, the partnership serves as a model for how regenerative agriculture can transform communities, restore soil health, and drive economic growth.

“We remain committed to scaling up and ensuring that more farmers benefit from sustainable practices and market opportunities,” he added.

Soybean is a key crop in Nigeria’s food and agricultural sector, used widely in food production, animal feed, and industrial applications. Enhancing domestic production is considered critical for reducing import dependency, improving household nutrition, and driving local economic growth.

Eniola Fabusoro, Country Director at IDH Nigeria, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative, noting that the partnership exemplifies their approach of bridging the gap between large corporations and smallholder farmers through local partners.

“By combining our networks, resources, and field experience with SMEs like Arzikin Noma, we can transform supply chains while ensuring measurable impact for 5,000 farmers,” he said.

On his part, Adeoluwa Adeshola, Managing Director at Arzikin Noma, added: “Our commitment to food security and sustainable farming remains strong. This partnership in Kwara will raise both the quality and quantity of soybean produced locally, and we are proud to drive that progress.”

In addition to improving productivity, the initiative aims to build farmer resilience, strengthen food security, and create a dependable sourcing channel for Olam Agri.

“By investing in this project and serving as the offtaker for locally produced soybeans, we are not only strengthening our supply chain but also ensuring that farmers have reliable, transparent, and rewarding opportunities to sell their produce,” said Mustafa Turra, Vice President & Soybean Project Head at Olam Agri.

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