Dike Onwuamaeze

In a significant stride toward transforming Nigeria’s rural agricultural landscape, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has inaugurated the second phase of its impactful rice farming support program in Ebonyi State.

The program, which centered on the distribution of vital farming inputs, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to strengthening food systems, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and empowering smallholder farmers across Nigeria.

The BATN Foundation made remarkable headway in 2024 by supporting 400 smallholder rice farmers across four communities in Ebonyi State.

These communities were 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.

Currently, in 2025, the foundation’s efforts are being intensified with a strategic intervention that saw the distribution of 1,000 kg of high-quality rice seeds, 6,000 kg of fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, and other essential inputs to 200 farmers, selected from the initial cohort for this planting season. This timely support aimed to cultivate at least 20 hectares of rice. ,

Looking ahead, BATN Foundation has planned a third phase in 2026, envisaged as an enterprise development initiative.

This phase would be aimed at supporting 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.

The General Manager of BATNF, Mr. Oludare Odusanya, has emphasised the importance of grassroots empowerment, saying that “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.”

Odusanya commended partnerships with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture and Ecofield Agrolink Enterprises, and highlighted 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 programs, the focus remains on nurturing smallholder farmers into catalysts of Nigeria’s sustainable development.