Case Study

Since 2017, Aqua-Green Integrated Farming Support Initiative (AGI) has served as a key off-taker for the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrower Program. This initiative was designed to address a major challenge in agriculture: ensuring that farmers have guaranteed markets for their produce. AGI’s role in this program has been pivotal in connecting farmers to buyers, improving their profitability, and strengthening the agricultural value chain.

AGI began by onboarding smallholder farmers across the Niger Delta who were producing fish, poultry, and other agricultural products under the Anchor Borrower Program. Through comprehensive training sessions, AGI ensured that these farmers adopted best practices in aquaculture and poultry farming, including feed formulation, disease prevention, and quality assurance.

As an off-taker, AGI provided farmers with a guaranteed market by purchasing their produce at competitive prices. This eliminated the uncertainty of market fluctuations and empowered farmers to focus on increasing production without the fear of unsold goods. AGI also offered logistical support, including transportation and cold chain storage, to ensure that produce reached markets in optimal condition.

Additionally, AGI facilitated value addition by training farmers in fish processing, packaging, and branding. This allowed participants to command premium prices for their products, further boosting their income. Farmers were also connected to cooperatives and export markets, expanding their market reach beyond local buyers.

By integrating mentorship and technical support into the program, AGI ensured that farmers could sustain their operations and scale their businesses. Over the years, thousands of farmers have benefited from this initiative, significantly improving their incomes and livelihoods.

Key Features:

1. Guaranteed Market Access: Off-taker agreements that provide farmers with reliable income streams.
2. Logistical Support: Transportation and cold chain storage to preserve product quality.
3. Value Addition: Training in fish processing, packaging, and branding for higher profitability.
4. Capacity Building: Workshops on farming techniques and quality assurance to meet market standards.
5. Market Expansion: Connections to cooperatives and export markets to increase farmers’ market reach.

The CBN Anchor Borrower Program Off-Taker Projects exemplify AGI’s ability to bridge the gap between production and market demand, creating a sustainable ecosystem where farmers thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s food security and economic development.