The Nigerian agriculture sector is largely dominated by smallholder farmers with an estimated workforce of 36% of the population. As a result of their small sized farm-land, amongst other prevailing challenges, it is difficult for smallholder farmers to realise substantial and sustained growth. Despite years of government intervention and millions of dollars allocated in targeted programmes by the Central Bank of Nigeria, less than 1% of farmland in the country is irrigated and small-scale farms still record lower than average yields.

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Alluvial Agriculture, a farming collective seeks to improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers through its innovative Community Block farming model.

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“Smallholder famers are very competent in what they do, however the economics of production does not always favour them. The high cost of inputs is a critical problem that we deal with and by using their numbers as a strength, we are able to bargain the best value for their seeds, fertilisers and even their harvested produce.  These are critical services we provide to smallholder farmers." Says Dimieari Von Kemedi, MD and CEO of Alluvial Agriculture.  

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Providing access to farm mechanization to women

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Like most women in the Nigerian agriculture sector, Maryam has little to no access to opportunities that are crucial to her agri business growth. A young women aged 27, from Kano state, Maryam comes from a long line of agri-preneurs. Maryam also holds a BSc in Agriculture and MSc in Soil Science from the University of Kano.

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Maryam is one of the beneficiaries of Alluival’s Female Tractor Operations Training program, In partnership with Mastercard Foundation, that seeks to empower and train women in tractor operations, a field primarily dominated by men. This program drives inclusive growth in the agriculture sector needed to boost development in crucial areas.

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This life changing program trained 50 women in from 16 different states in Nigeria in 2021. The women were taught not only how to drive tractors, but also ways to run a tractor operating business.  

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Contributing to food security through smallholder farmer support

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Alluvial was set up to tackle one of the world’s most pressing issues: food security.

Alluvial deploys an innovative Service Delivery business model that provides comprehensive support to small farm enterprises and smallholder farmers. This support spans training, technology, land preparation, irrigation, input supplies, and market access within contiguous farms in community and virtual blocks securing a sustainable future for Africa’s agriculture.

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Throughout the farming seasons Alluvial supplies agricultural and mechanised training, access to inputs, quality seeds, financial support and prioritised access to market. They work to ensure financial and enhanced resilience to communities, farmers and their families, providing the necessary means and knowledge to encourage success beyond the initial start-up, increasing the farmers and the community to a higher quality of life and guaranteed regular income.

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