WACOT Secures €1.26m Grant to Empower 3,500 Sesame Farmers in Nigeria
In a major step toward empowering local farmers, WACOT Limited, a member of the Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, has received a €1.26 million (₦2.25 billion) grant from DEG Impulse under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development’s develop programme.
The funding will support a three-year project targeting 3,500 smallholder sesame farmers in Jigawa and Kebbi States, helping them transition to organic and climate-resilient farming practices. WACOT will also match the grant with an additional €1.26 million to strengthen the project’s impact.
Building on the success of its 2020 organic sesame pilot, which doubled national average yields and earned international ECOCERT certification, WACOT aims to scale up this model to improve productivity, income, and environmental sustainability.
Training, Tools, and Guaranteed Market Access
The project offers farmers access to:
Training on organic farming and climate-smart practices , Agroforestry and weather alert systems to enhance climate resilience Financial inclusion support to improve access to loans and cooperative systems
A 100% offtake agreement ensuring farmers get premium prices for their certified organic produce
This initiative will also create 46 direct jobs, strengthen farmer cooperatives, and promote women and youth inclusion, all contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as No Poverty, Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Life on Land.
How Farmers Can Benefit and Participate
Farmers in Jigawa and Kebbi States can participate by:
✅ Joining WACOT’s registered farmer cooperatives or affiliated agricultural groups.
✅ Attending community sensitization sessions and registration drives organized by WACOT field officers.
✅ Committing to organic farming standards, as training and support are provided for certification.
✅ Engaging in WACOT’s digital systems for weather alerts and financial inclusion programs.
“When we invest in farmers, we invest in the nation’s future — empowering rural communities to grow sustainably and prosper.”
The WACOT-DEG partnership is more than an agricultural project; it’s a movement for economic empowerment and environmental balance. By embracing organic farming, Nigerian farmers can increase their income, improve food quality, and contribute to a greener, more prosperous future.
