Global Courant
Olam Agri in Nigeria, a leading food, feed and fiber agribusiness, has been recognized for its impactful investment in sustainability. The agribusiness Seeds for the Future (SFTF) initiative has emerged as a Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the African Food Awards 2023, held in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 16.
The Africa Food Awards recognize and celebrate the best companies and individuals in Africa’s emerging food manufacturing, retail, academia and foodservice sector. The awards celebrate excellence and encourage the adoption of world-class practices and technologies in Africa’s food production, retail and service sectors.
As one of the winners of the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award, the Olam Agri Seeds for the Future initiative was launched in 2021 as Olam Agri in Nigeria’s social sustainability investment vehicle in the wheat value chain. farmers and farming communities, enabling young people to develop broader education and skills, empowering women (farmers and bakers), promoting health and nutrition and reducing carbon emissions from business activities.
In 2022, the initiative announced an impressive first year result of its multi-year research, seed testing and propagation. It sparked optimism that Nigeria is making progress towards increasing local wheat production. The initiative is now a full-fledged foundation and is expanding its impact to other segments.
Francis Juma, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of FW Africa, the organizer of the awards, said: “After evaluation by our jury committee, Olam Agri’s sustainability investment through the Seeds for the Future Foundation met all criteria of reach, depth and impact. and towers above the competition in the sustainable investing category and deserves to receive one of the Sustainability Initiative Award for the year 2023.”
He congratulated the company for its exceptional leadership and focused investments, which aim to drive impactful economic growth in all operating markets.
Ashish Pande, Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, said of the recognition: “We will continue to invest in projects that positively impact farming communities, consumer health, the environment and the government’s economic growth agenda. The Seed for the Future Foundation is an important tool to drive our wider investment actions. The recognition of the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award underlines our level of impact.”
He thanked the organizer of the prize for the recognition and reiterated that the company would not rest on its belts. He claimed that it would continue to invest in strengthening Nigeria’s food production and processing segments.
Same-category winners at the awards include Bio Food Products, Ngorongo Tea, Farmers Choice, EARBL, the Marindi Healthy Woman, and Broadway Bakery.
The Africa Food Awards took place during the Africa Food Industry Week, which consists of high-level events such as the Africa Sustainability Symposium, AFMASS Food Expo and the Africa Food Safety Summit, all held in Nairobi, Kenya.
