In a significant move toward strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and empowering smallholder farmers, MAGGI, Nigeria’s flagship seasoning brand from Nestlé, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable local sourcing through the expansion of its Regenerative Agriculture (RegenAg) initiative.
The project, which began as a ₦100 million pilot in 2023, has now evolved into a nationwide program supporting over 25,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria. The initiative aims to enhance soybean production, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, and foster resilient livelihoods in local communities.
From Pilot Success to Nationwide Impact
The pilot phase, which benefited 1,030 soybean farmers, was implemented in partnership with TechnoServe and IDH (The Sustainable Trade Initiative), with technical guidance from Ghana’s Centre for No-Till Agriculture (CNTA). Farmers were trained in regenerative practices such as cover cropping, minimal tillage (ripping), crop rotation, and hedgerow planting — techniques that improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and increase yields sustainably.
The results were transformative. Farmers reported substantial yield increases, improved soil structure, and higher income levels. The success of the pilot inspired MAGGI and its parent company, Nestlé, to scale up the initiative in collaboration with AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), targeting 25,000 farmers nationwide.
This expanded phase is expected to produce over 80,000 metric tonnes of quality grains annually, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and local sourcing capacity.
Empowering Farmers, Building Resilient Food Systems
Speaking on the development, Funmi Osineye, Category Manager for Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, said:
“Soybean is a key ingredient in MAGGI, and supporting local farmers to grow it sustainably is central to our mission. This initiative is not just a sourcing strategy—it is an investment in resilient food systems. By equipping farmers, especially women and youth, with regenerative agriculture skills, we are improving productivity today while protecting the land for future generations.”
At an event celebrating the pilot’s achievements, more than 150 stakeholders from the agriculture, food, and development sectors gathered to honor five outstanding farmers recognized for their exemplary adoption of regenerative practices.
One of the award recipients, Engineer Lawan Abdul, shared his personal success story:
“Since I started adopting these new farming techniques, as we were taught in this project, my yields have increased by 100%. This has changed my perspective on sustainable farming, and I sincerely thank MAGGI and its partners for bringing this opportunity to us.”
Partnerships Driving Sustainable Change
For Nestlé Central and West Africa Region (CWAR), the initiative exemplifies how partnerships can drive systemic agricultural change.
Alidu Amadu, Head of Agriculture Services, Nestlé CWAR, noted:
“This project demonstrates what is possible when businesses, development partners, and farmers work together. Regenerative agriculture not only restores soil health but also builds long-term productivity and resilience for rural communities.”
The RegenAg project aligns with Nestlé’s global sustainability goals, which target sourcing 20% of key ingredients through regenerative agricultural methods by 2025, and 50% by 2030. The program also directly supports Nigeria’s national objectives on food security, climate resilience, and rural economic empowerment.
A Sustainable Future for Nigerian Agriculture
As MAGGI expands its regenerative farming footprint, the brand is setting a precedent for how large food manufacturers can contribute to environmental stewardship while ensuring local value creation.
By fostering collaboration between farmers, agronomists, and policy stakeholders, the company continues to lead Nigeria’s transition toward sustainable, inclusive, and profitable agriculture.
In an era of climate uncertainty, MAGGI’s investment in regenerative farming stands as a model of how corporate responsibility, sustainability, and food innovation can coexist to deliver long-term impact for communities and ecosystems alike.
MAGGI Nigeria expands its Regenerative Agriculture initiative to empower 25,000 smallholder farmers with sustainable soybean production practices, strengthening local sourcing, soil health, and food security in alignment with Nestlé’s global sustainability goals.
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