How TGI is fostering sustainable growth in Agric sector

TGI Group has recorded significant strides in its pursuit to not only elevate the agricultural sector in Nigeria but also contributing to sustainable food production globally.

This is as the Group, through one of its subsidiary-WACOT Limited, distributed a special incentive to 1,578 cocoa producers across 28 villages in Osun State. This bonus, granted in addition to regular outgrower program payments, was paid to farmers who have not only met but surpassed international standards in cocoa production. The Cocoa Farmers Premium Payment Award in Osun State signified a milestone for both the donor company and the recipients, emphasising the importance of responsible farming practices.

Commenting on the company’s work, Farouk Gumel, executive vice chairman of TGI Africa, said: “By leveraging our expertise and resources, we are actively transforming local agricultural landscapes and participating in shaping policies and initiatives that foster self-sufficiency and sustainability in Nigeria and beyond. TGI Group’s initiatives and collaborations underscore its dedication to sustainable agriculture. “From cocoa and rice to sesame and fertilizers, TGI’s impact extends globally, setting a precedent for responsible and sustainable agricultural practices.”

According to the Group, WACOT has promoted a culture of responsible farming practices aligned with global sustainability goals. This approach includes registering and establishing smallholder farming groups and cooperatives, providing farmers access to quality agro-inputs, and offering capacity building on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Yield Enhancement Techniques (YET). It offtakes at prevailing market prices with immediate payments, which empowers farmers across the entire value chain.

“Similarly, WACOT Rice Limited in Kebbi State, another TGI subsidiary, has transformed rice production. Through the Argungu Outgrower Expansion Project, a collaboration with USAID-funded West Africa Trade and Investment Hub, TGI demonstrates its commitment to sustainable rice production. With improved yield, WACOT Rice mill has now expanded capacity from its erstwhile 120,000 metric tonnes/annum to 250,000 metric tonnes/annum. The expansion was supported by First Bank Nigeria.

“TGI Group is also making significant strides in sesame production. The 500-hectare organic sesame farm project in Gumel, Jigawa State, has witnessed record-yield this season according to observers. With certification from ‘ECOCERT,’ organic sesame from Jigawa State is now being exported all over the world. This commodity is fast gaining even more international recognition, fostering economic development in the region,” Gumel said.

Recognising the role of fertilizers in agricultural productivity, the Group through its subsidiary, WAFL, operators of the Edo State Fertilizer and Chemicals Company (EFCCL), has been a catalyst for change in Nigeria’s fertilizer production landscape, being the only compound/ chemical blending plant in Nigeria with approval to supply the Northeast region.

Also, outside Nigeria, Nutridor, another TGI Group subsidiary, achieved a significant milestone in Dubai’s food and beverage sector. The AED75 million dairy production facility in Dubai Industrial City has doubled the production capacity of the company’s Abevia brand to an impressive 120,000 litres of milk per day. This has further bolstered the output of Nutridor as the Dubai factory will complement the supply from the existing factory in Thailand.

“In Benin Republic, TGI operates the Fludor company. The first side of the factory is for cashew – raw cashew nut is processed to cashew kernels, all for export to Lebanon, South Asia, the US, Netherlands and so on. The other side of the factory whose capacity has just been further expanded has the capability for seed crushing of cotton seed, soybeans, and shea to obtain refined products such as cotton seed oil, soya oil, shea butter, as well as other byproducts such as cottonseed meal and soybean meal.

“In India, TGI Group company, Tropical Industries International (TII) has evolved and gained prominence with major corporations as their primary B2B cashews supplier. TII has also diversified into oilseed derivatives and supply of nutritious additives to livestock feed across India,”

The Group also has trading offices in China, Dubai, Ghana and Morocco, operating in various parts of the Agricultural value chain.