In Northern Nigeria, sorghum is an important crop for farmers, processors, and consumers. This is not only because of its nutritional value but the economic empowerment it brings. Nalmaco limited, one of the largest sorghum aggregators in this region has partnered with 2SCALE to build the capacity of sorghum farmers.
Through this partnership, 2SCALE is empowering 20,000 smallholder farmers to work in agriculture as a business and access structured markets. It is also improving the marketing and distribution of sorghum-based products to 10,000 Base of Pyramid (BoP) consumers. Nalmaco Limited purchases sorghum directly from smallholder farmers cooperatives through farmer collection centers otherwise known as community aggregation centers. Direct sourcing of grains from farmers' cooperatives is beneficial to both Nalmaco and smallholder farmers – the aggregator is assured of the quality of the produce while the pressure on farmers to sell their products immediately after harvest is reduced, helping to eliminate middlemen.
The end of the harvesting season is a welcome moment for Nalmaco to buy sorghum directly from the farmers in organized producer organizations.
Auwal Shehu from Nalmaco explains:
I collect grains for Nalmaco Nigeria Limited. The grain collection is organized through farmer collection centers otherwise known as local community aggregation centers, which are coordinated by producer organization leaders in the agribusiness cluster. Each producer organization takes their grains to this aggregation centers before it is transported to Nalmaco warehouse.