WACOT, Bayero University Partner to Upgrade Sesame Farmers Academy

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A partnership aimed to upgrade a Sesame Farmers Academy in Gumel, Jigawa State, has been entered into between WACOT Limited and the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

Over the next four years, the institution will empower 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.

This collaboration has been described as a strategic complement to WACOT’s noteworthy achievement last year, obtaining ECOCERT certification for Sesame, which allows the exportation of organic sesame produced in Gumel, Jigawa State, to North America and Europe.

It will further amplify outreach to farmers, enabling them to adopt practices crucial to elevating food production, enhancing farmer incomes, and securing food security for Nigeria.

With Nigeria standing as one of the world’s leading producers of sesame seeds, accounting for 80 per cent 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.

Additionally, over the last six years TGI Group companies’ commitment has extended to providing over N1 billion in Agri-input credit financing, empowering farmers with vital resources such as fertilizers, agrochemicals, and certified seeds across various value chains including sesame and rice.

Notably, WACOT secures a stable market for sesame produce through a buyback arrangement with farmer cooperatives.

With the global sesame seeds market projected to reach $21.57 billion by 2028, this strategic partnership sets the stage for an even brighter future for Nigeria’s sesame farmers, solidifying the critical role of such alliances in contributing to the growth and prosperity of our agricultural sector.

The Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, Ms Habiba Suleiman, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising 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.

“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,” she enthused.

Also, the 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.”