Palm Valley Nigeria Empowers Over 625,000 Farmers Through 16 Years of Inclusive Agricultural Development

Palm Valley Nigeria Limited (PVNL), one of Nigeria’s leading agribusiness and agricultural development companies, has announced that it has supported more than 625,000 smallholder farmers across several states over the past 16 years through a series of programmes aimed at improving productivity, increasing incomes, and strengthening rural livelihoods.

The company, founded in 2008, said it has built its operations around improving the livelihoods of women and young people in rural communities by providing access to agricultural financing, certified farm inputs, extension services, produce aggregation, processing facilities, and market linkages across major crop value chains, including maize, soybean, rice, and ginger.

PVNL said its interventions are driven by the principles of collaboration, integrity, transparency, and excellence, enabling it to develop sustainable agricultural solutions through partnerships with development organisations, financial institutions, and farming communities.

OCP Africa partnership reaches over 500,000 farmers

The company said one of its largest interventions has been its collaboration with OCP Africa under the Agribooster Programme, which has reached more than 500,000 smallholder farmers since 2019.

According to PVNL, the programme provides specialised fertiliser blends, extension services, and input distribution through OCP input hubs in Kaduna State, helping farmers cultivating between half and one hectare of land improve crop yields and productivity.

AGRA programme empowers women farmers

PVNL also highlighted its partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which began in 2022 through the Gender Consortium Project in Kaduna and Niger states.

The three-year initiative enrolled 50,000 women and youth farmers annually between 2022 and 2024, while establishing women agro-processing centres and providing point-of-sale kiosks to improve market access and financial inclusion.

Village Savings Schemes introduced under the programme also enabled women farmers to build savings and strengthen their businesses.

WOFAN partnership supports over 300,000 young beneficiaries

In another major intervention, PVNL partnered with the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) under the Mastercard Foundation-funded ICON2 Programme.

The five-year programme, running from 2023 to 2028, has onboarded 309,000 community partners across Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue states, with women accounting for 80 per cent of beneficiaries.

The company established 51 community processing centres equipped with processing machines, renewable energy systems, and farm equipment to improve value addition and reduce post-harvest losses.

PVNL said the programme’s sustainability component, introduced in 2025, has further supported more than 114,000 beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, micro produce marketers, and logistics providers.

The intervention included the establishment of 60 business hubs for persons with disabilities, distribution of 120 logistics tricycles, more than 680 tonnes of rice for produce marketers, as well as wheelchairs, umbrellas, food coolers, and other business support items.

Financing programme generates ₦3 billion

Between 2021 and 2024, PVNL implemented the Smallholder Women and Youth Agric Finance (SWAY-AGFin) Programme in partnership with Sterling Bank.

The initiative supported over 10,000 women and youth farmers across Kaduna and Nasarawa states through input financing and produce aggregation.

According to the company, more than 5,000 metric tonnes of produce were aggregated under the programme, generating over ₦3 billion in revenue while improving farmers’ access to affordable inputs and structured markets.

Climate-smart agriculture gains momentum

PVNL also disclosed that its partnership with IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, is promoting regenerative agriculture in Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

The programme trained about 4,000 maize and soybean farmers in 2025 while distributing more than 20,000 tree seedlings. Another 1,000 farmers are expected to be enrolled in 2026, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 5,000.

In the ginger value chain, the company said it operates modern processing facilities and has expanded production through its collaboration with GIZ EU-VACE, supporting farmers with training on Good Agronomic Practices, seed multiplication, input financing, aggregation, and market access.

Beneficiaries recount life-changing impact

Several beneficiaries described how the company’s interventions transformed their lives.

Aisha Tanimu Muhammad, a beneficiary of the AGRA project in Niger State, said the support enabled her to establish a business and provide for her family.

“The support has enabled me to send my children to school, contribute to my husband’s medical bills, and even support my son’s marriage, all without begging,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Zainab Adamu, said receiving a kiosk and point-of-sale machine helped her grow a thriving business.

“Through this support, I have been able to sponsor my son’s education and also contribute significantly to his marriage. Before PVNL came my way, I felt completely helpless,” she said.

Joshua Hassan, who participated in the WOFAN ICON2 Programme in Kaduna State, said a business hub constructed by PVNL relieved him of years of financial hardship.

“Through the wheelchair I received, I am now able to move myself to my business shop and continue my work with dignity and independence,” he said.

SWAY-AGFin beneficiaries also reported significant increases in farm productivity and income after gaining access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and technical support.

Leadership focused on agricultural transformation

PVNL is led by agronomist Ezekiel Jatau, who has more than 27 years of experience in agribusiness and agricultural value chain development.

The company said under his leadership it has expanded collaborations with organisations including AGRA, WOFAN, OCP Africa, IDH, United Bank for Africa, Sterling Bank, and EU-VACE to deepen agricultural transformation and improve livelihoods across Nigeria.