BATN Foundation’s Renewed Commitment to Smallholder Farmers’ Empowerment in Nigeria
Nigeria’s smallholder farmers are receiving renewed attention and support from the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN Foundation or BATNF), which is launching and scaling projects aimed at boosting productivity, food security, and livelihood sustainability across rural communities.
What BATN Foundation is Doing
Maize Production Project in Ekiti (South-West Nigeria)
In partnership with Odu’a Investment Company’s agribusiness arm, SWAgCo, BATN Foundation is executing a ₦65 million maize initiative at the Oke-Ako agribusiness hub.
The project includes a ₦32 million revolving grant, involvement of 100 smallholder farmers, and provision of quality inputs, training, credit access, and structured markets.
Rice Farming Support in Ebonyi State
The foundation has increased its interventions in rice value chains. In 2025, it provided 1,000 kg of high‐quality rice seed, 6,000 kg fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides and other inputs to 200 selected farmers.
These farmers were from earlier cohorts and benefitted from capacity building through training, field day demonstrations, and extension support.
Poultry Projects & Women Inclusion
In Akwa Ibom, BATNF distributed Noiler chickens, feed and multivitamins to 100 smallholder poultry farmers to strengthen food security and support vulnerable groups.
They are also deliberately including women, youth and individuals in vulnerable categories in its interventions.
Youth Agripreneur Programme
Recognizing that innovation and youth involvement are key, BATNF awarded cash grants and mentorship to graduates engaged in agribusiness ventures including poultry, beekeeping, fish/livestock farming, and plant cultivation.
Why It Matters
Smallholder farmers make up a large share of farming activity in Nigeria but often lack access to quality inputs, capital, training, and market linkages. BATNF’s interventions address these gaps by:
Improving yields and income stability
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices and value chain enhancement
Enhancing food security at local and regional levels
Empowering women and youth to participate more actively in agriculture
“We believe that with adequate resources, knowledge, and market access, these farmers can uplift their communities and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s food security.” — Oludare Odusanya, General Manager, BATN Foundation
BATN Foundation is making measurable strides in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector by focusing on smallholder farmers. Through targeted input provision, training, youth support, and strategic partnerships, the foundation is helping farmers move from subsistence toward more sustainable, market-oriented operations. As these efforts scale, they hold promise for improved rural livelihoods, greater food security, and inclusive economic growth.
