In a significant stride toward transforming Nigeria’s rural agricultural landscape, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, inaugurated the second phase of its rice farming support programme in Ebonyi State. The event, centred on the distribution of vital farming inputs, highlights the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening food systems, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and empowering smallholder farmers across Nigeria.
In 2024, BATN Foundation made remarkable headway by supporting 400 smallholder rice farmers across four communities in the state — Eketube Enyigba (Abakaliki LGA), Ndiokeda (Izzi LGA), Ogwulangwu (Ohaozara LGA), and Nduikbi (Ebonyi LGA). These farmers received targeted capacity building through hands-on training, demonstration plots, and field days designed to promote improved agronomic practices.
Now, in 2025, the Foundation’s efforts are intensifying with a strategic intervention that saw the distribution of 1,000 kg of high-quality rice seeds, 6,000 kg of fertiliser, herbicides, pesticides, and other essential inputs to 200 farmers, selected from the initial cohort for this planting season. The support aims to cultivate at least 20 hectares of rice.
Looking ahead, BATN Foundation plans a third phase in 2026, envisaged as an enterprise development initiative. This phase aims to support 100 farmers with inputs to cultivate 100 hectares of rice, coupled with market linkage services to ensure sustainable income streams. Such steps are crucial in creating resilient farming communities capable of weathering climatic and market challenges.
Oludare Odusanya, General Manager of BATNF, emphasised the importance of grassroots empowerment.
“Our interventions are designed not only to provide immediate support but also to foster long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among smallholder farmers. We believe that with adequate resources, knowledge, and market access, these farmers can uplift their communities and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security,” he stated.
He further commended partnerships with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture and Ecofield Agrolink Enterprises, highlighting the collective effort required to sustain and scale such impactful interventions. Since 2002, BATNF has invested over ₦4 billion in rural agricultural development, positively impacting over 1.7 million farmers nationwide. The Foundation’s strategic focus continues to be on elevating smallholder farmers’ productivity while fostering sustainable practices that secure their livelihoods long-term.
Addressing the farmers directly, Odusanya expressed gratitude for their resilience and trust. “Your dedication and hard work are the backbone of Nigeria’s food security. We are proud to support your journey and look forward to celebrating your successes in this planting season and beyond,” he affirmed.
The ongoing partnership between BATNF and Ebonyi State exemplifies how collaborative efforts, targeted interventions, and strategic investments can drive agricultural transformation. As the foundation looks forward to expanding its programmes, the focus remains on nurturing smallholder farmers into catalysts of Nigeria’s sustainable development.
By Ajibola Adedoye