Charles Odii, the CEO of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is dedicated to empowering SMEs including smallholder farmers through various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving food production.
Under Odii’s leadership, SMEDAN has implemented a comprehensive program called GROW, which focuses on providing guidance, resources, opportunities, and support to small businesses, particularly smallholder farmers. This program equips farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their farming techniques and increase productivity.
SMEDAN’s mandate to GROW – Guide, Resource, Opportunity, and Work/support, has been the driving force behind Odii’s efforts. This mandate provides small businesses, including farmers, with the necessary guidance, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. This has resulted in the creation of seven priority sectors, with agriculture being the primary focus under the “EAT NIGERIA” initiative.
Odii’s vision for a food-secure Nigeria involves educating smallholder farmers on global best practices, from proper seed selection to harvesting techniques. By doing so, he aims to improve the quality of produce for local consumption and export, thus enhancing the country’s economic growth through agriculture.
One significant challenge for smallholder farmers is access to funding, and Odii has addressed this issue through the “one local government, one product” initiative. This initiative aims to identify and harness the agricultural potential of all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, providing funds to farmers in the form of 70% loans and 30% grants for equipment, farmland development, and working capital needs.
In addition to financial support, Odii also prioritizes providing security for farmers in inner cities and rural areas, collaborating with the comptroller of prisons and the Inspector General of Police to ensure their safety. This not only encourages farmers to continue their practices but also boosts the country’s agricultural production.
Odii’s vision extends to promoting Nigerian agricultural products in the international market, and SMEDAN has partnered with top logistics companies to facilitate the distribution of goods from rural areas to urban centers. They are also in talks with the Nigerian Postal Service to assist with this process.
Charles Odii’s passion and dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture in Nigeria have been crucial in empowering smallholder farmers, improving food production, and contributing to the country’s economic growth. With Odii at the helm of SMEDAN, Nigeria can look forward to a brighter and more food-secure future.
