Firm develops programme to tackle food shortage, climate change

The Seeds for Future programme, a value chain development initiative of Crown Flour Mill (CFM) Limited, a subsidiary of Olam Agri, has been showcased as one of the innovative solutions to food security and climate change challenges on the African continent. The wheat development initiative was selected and showcased by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management consulting firm, at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Week currently holding in Libreville, Gabon.

The Climate Week, which was jointly organised by the government of Gabon and UN development partners such as the World Bank Group, provided a platform for governments, cities, private sector leaders, financial institutions and civil society to discuss opportunities to enhance climate action. Key stakeholders showcased ambitious solutions they have embarked on, the results and the opportunity to scale up to impact a larger group.

The Country Head, Olam Agri Nigeria, Ashish Pande, during his virtual presentation at one of the key sessions at the event, highlighted the potential impact of the climate-smart, timely intervention efforts of Olam Agri in the Nigerian wheat value chain. He explained that the Seeds for the Future programme focuses on seed improvement and skills development, fostering gender inclusion in the agriculture value chain through investment in women bakers and farmers.

He said, “the selection and showcase of the Seeds for the Future initiative by BCG is an endorsement of the initiative’s potential impact in improving the livelihood of the Nigerian people.

“The Seeds for the Future programme aims to develop and locally supply high-yielding, climate-resilient wheat seed varieties which have the potential to contribute to soil health, reduce carbon footprint and enhance the livelihood of smallholder farmers across the wheat farming belt, aside from contributing significantly to the nation’s GDP,” Ashish added. 

He disclosed that the announcement of the first-year report of the project is slated for early September 2022.