BATN sustains agriculture sector development in rural Nigeria

  British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) recently rewarded 209 deserving farmers as part of the 8th annual British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy Farmers Productivity Awards Scheme. The Farmers’ Productivity Awards Scheme, an initiative of British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy, a subsidiary of BATN is designed to improve the farmers’ productivity in terms of quality and volume of yield, as well as encourage their adherence to principles of environmental protection.

In a statement made available to Business Day, the corporate and regulatory affairs director, BATN Freddy Messanvi during the occasion, commended efforts at various levels of government in Nigeria towards transforming the agriculture sector, which he said will impact positively on the country in the near future. “We applaud the Federal, State and Local government for the bold steps they have taken in transforming the agriculture sector. We know that forward thinking policies from our leaders need active support from the private sector and I see that happening rapidly,” he said.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the vice-chairman senate committee on agriculture, Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka stressed the need for stakeholders in the sector to be more committed to food and cash crop production to alleviate hunger. He urged the recipients of the awards to reciprocate the kind gesture of the British American Tobacco Nigeria / British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy by making use of the equipment’s given to them, to boost efficiency in production.One of the winners, Hassan Afonja praised British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy for their continuous support to farmers through the rewards scheme. “My business has indeed been given a lift through their support”, he said.

Findings show BAT Iseyin Agronomy annually partners with more than 700 registered farmers across the South West region of Nigeria in tobacco production. Not only providing farming inputs and day to day hands-on training in proven best practices.

 

NONSO NDUMANYA