Nestlé Nigeria, through its seasoning brand MAGGI, has announced a major expansion of its Regenerative Agriculture (RegenAg) initiative to support 25,000 smallholder farmers across the country in sustainable soybean cultivation.
The move follows the successful completion of a ₦100m pilot project that demonstrated how climate-smart farming can boost productivity, improve soil health, and strengthen food systems.
The RegenAg pilot, launched in 2023, was implemented in partnership with TechnoServe and IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, with technical guidance from the Centre for No-Till Agriculture (CNTA), Ghana.
It supported 1,030 soybean farmers to adopt regenerative practices such as cover cropping, minimal tillage (ripping), crop rotation, and the use of hedgerows.
These practices, according to project findings, led to healthier soils, improved yields, and stronger farm resilience against climate shocks.
Speaking at an event to mark the successful conclusion of the pilot scheme, Category Manager for Culinary at Nestlé Nigeria, Funmi Osineye, said the initiative aligns with Nestlé’s global ambition to promote sustainable agriculture and improve local sourcing.
“Soybean is a key ingredient in MAGGI, and supporting local farmers to grow it sustainably is central to our mission,” Osineye said.
“This initiative is more than 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.”
She noted that the success of the pilot scheme has paved the way for a larger, multi-partner program that brings together Nestlé, AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa), and several development agencies to scale regenerative farming across Nigeria.
She added that the expanded project is expected to produce at least 80,000 metric tonnes of quality grains annually, with an increasing share cultivated through regenerative methods.
One of the beneficiaries, Engineer Lawan Abdul, said his farm’s yield doubled within one season after adopting the techniques introduced under the program. “Since I started applying what we were taught, my yields have increased by 100%. This has been very encouraging, and I thank MAGGI and the partners for bringing this initiative to us,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Head of Agriculture Services for Nestlé Central & West Africa Region (CWAR), Alidu Amadu, emphasised the broader significance of the partnership for Nigeria’s food and agricultural ecosystem.
“This project shows 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 local communities,” Amadu noted.
