By Zablon Oyugi
Good news for maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, rice, and sesame smallholders in Kenya as Arzikin Noma, a West African agricultural firm set to connect them to off-takers further offering fair and reliable grain aggregation and supply services in a move to expand its operations in East Africa starting with Kenya.
The company which also provides farmers with essential inputs including seeds, fertilizers, and extension support, to cultivate top-tier grains, through input credit serves as a vital link connecting dedicated farmers with discerning buyers.
According to Adeoluwa Micheal Adeshola, the CEO and Managing Director at Arzikin Noma, the company is dedicated to driving excellence in agriculture while fostering partnerships that benefit all stakeholders.
This is in recognition of the fact that many smallholder farmers are faced with many challenges that include price exploitation by brokers, lack of quality seeds and other agricultural inputs for production.
“We act as an aggregator, providing small-scale farmers with all they need for successful grain production, supporting them from planting to harvest. We collaborate with agricultural input companies to provide the necessary resources to farmers, and once the crops are ready, we purchase them and sell to larger buyers,” explained Adeshola.
Guaranteed market
The company partners with groups or cooperatives of smallholder farmers, entering agreements to ensure a guaranteed market. At the start of each planting season, the farmers receive essential resources, and the company arranges for guidance on farming practices, from planting to harvesting, to ensure high-quality, consistent production.
Susan Wabocha, overseeing the expansion of Arzikin Noma in Kenya and the surrounding region, mentioned, “We offer the right seeds, fertilizers, and crop nutrition products to farmers and guide them for the best and safest grain production.”
With over three decades of experience in West Africa, the company plans to replicate its success in East Africa, aiming to work with over 1,000,000 smallholder farmers in Africa by 2030.
Adeshola clarified, “Our goal is to uplift these farmers from poverty by enhancing their farm production and productivity. We make sure they receive prompt payment through mobile money within 24 hours of delivering their grains.”
How Arzikin Noma works with farmers
Before engaging with the farmers, the company assesses their fields to determine the appropriate crops and necessary production factors, ensuring a successful output.
Through partnerships with input manufacturers and distributors, the company offers farmers essential resources with input financing, guaranteeing them a reliable market and ensuring the quality of resources used in farming. Farmers also gain knowledge about their specific input needs and the acidity of their soils.
After harvesting, Arzikin Noma processes the grains, cleaning and sorting them to meet market standards and ensure safety. The company’s extensive network connects them with food processors, manufacturers, and exporters who require top-quality grains tailored to their needs.
The company directly purchases grains from farmers at fair prices, ensuring a dependable market for their produce.
