WACOT secures €1.26m grant from DEG Impulse to boost organic sesame farming

By Chinyere Anyanwu

WACOT Limited, a subsidiary of Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, has received a grant of €1.26 million (N2.25 billion) from DEG Impulse under the develoPPP programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The company will provide a matching contribution of the same amount to execute a three-year initiative aimed at empowering 3,500 smallholder sesame farmers in Jigawa and Kebbi states to adopt organic and climate-resilient farming practices.

Building on the success of WACOT’s 2020 organic sesame pilot project, which more than doubled national average yields and achieved ECOCERT international certification, the new programme will scale the model across more communities. Farmers will benefit from capacity building, organic inputs, agroforestry support, weather alert systems and financial inclusion initiatives.

As part of its commitment, WACOT Limited will guarantee 100 per cent offtake of certified organic sesame at premium prices, ensuring a stable and profitable market for participating farmers.

“This grant is a strong endorsement of our vision for sustainable agriculture and our dedication to the smallholder farmers who power Nigeria’s food system,” said Naveen Chaurasia, Managing Director, WACOT Limited. “By expanding our proven organic sesame model, we are not only strengthening a high-quality, traceable supply chain but also improving livelihoods. Farmers’ incomes will double, climate resilience will improve, and Nigeria’s non-oil exports will grow in line with TGI Group’s mission of earning the goodwill of the people.”

Habiba Suleiman, Head of Strategic Partnerships at TGI Group, highlighted the role of collaboration in sustainable progress: “Our partnership with DEG Impulse and BMZ demonstrates how aligning business objectives with development goals drives real impact. For TGI, this project reinforces our commitment to investing in rural communities, promoting organic farming, and supporting climate-smart agriculture creating a healthier environment and a stronger agricultural economy.”

Marco Christ, Managing Director of DEG Impulse, also emphasised the programme’s development impact. He said, “through the develoPPP initiative, we are empowering smallholder farmers, supporting poverty reduction, and advancing Nigeria’s non-oil export potential.

We are proud to back this project that fosters sustainable agriculture and strengthens local supply chains.”

The project will train 3,500 farmers with special focus on women and youths to increase yields, boost climate resilience and enhance household incomes. It will also create 46 direct jobs, strengthen farmer cooperatives and expand access to finance.

By supporting multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, and Life on Land, the initiative marks a major step towards a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural future for Nigeria.