As 2024 draws to a close, Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited takes a moment to express gratitude to its partners and stakeholders whose unwavering support has been instrumental in driving impactful agricultural interventions across Nigeria.
This year was marked by transformative milestones in agribusiness productivity, dairy sector innovation, cassava value chain development, seed sector advancement, and sustainable horticulture practices.
Supporting Nigeria’s Agribusiness through Strategic Partnerships
In collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the Nigerian Government, Sahel Consulting played a crucial role in establishing a Project Management Office (PMO) under the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement (SSAP-AgPE). This initiative addressed critical challenges in agriculture, prioritized gender-inclusive approaches, and accelerated productivity in Nigeria’s food systems.
Boosting Productivity and Nutrition in Nigeria’s Dairy Sector
The Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) program achieved significant milestones, integrating 22,681 households and training over 63,000 farmers. Through artificial insemination and enhanced veterinary care, 986 cows achieved a 63% pregnancy success rate, and over 2.5 million litres of fresh milk were supplied to processors. ALDDN also promoted nutrition awareness through 10,000 home garden initiatives and 191 cooking demonstrations, directly benefiting over 80,000 individuals.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Cassava Value Chain
The Building an Economically Sustainable and Integrated Cassava Seed System (BASICS-II) project supported six processors and over 1,000 outgrowers, achieving root yields of up to 20 tons per hectare. High-yield varieties such as Game Changer and Baba 70 were showcased, while partnerships with GoSeed and Umudike Seeds advanced sustainable cassava seed systems across 10 states.
Driving Growth in Nigeria’s Seed Sector
The Collaborative Seed Programme (CSP) earned Sahel Consulting the Champion of Seed Sector Development Award at the Seed Connect Africa Conference. Key achievements included training 26 Licensed Seed Inspectors, establishing 146 demo plots, and launching the National Seed Road Map (NSRM) Dashboard. The program also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s UPOV Instrument of Accession signing and the release of 12 new crop varieties.
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Building a Sustainable Horticulture Ecosystem in Southwest Nigeria
The Horticulture Roadmap for Southwest Nigeria, in collaboration with Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), focused on leveraging the region’s potential to meet increasing vegetable demand. By advocating for public-private partnerships, improved financial access, and innovative supply chain models, the roadmap envisions a balanced horticultural ecosystem by 2045, with tangible milestones set for 2030.
Conclusion:
As Sahel Consulting reflects on a year of remarkable achievements, the organization remains committed to driving innovation, enhancing farmer livelihoods, and building resilient food systems. With the continued collaboration of stakeholders, 2025 promises even greater strides toward sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria and beyond.
