Nestlé pays premium to farmers embracing regenerative agriculture

Nestlé Nigeria has rewarded smallholder farmers with premium payments for adopting regenerative agricultural practices as stakeholders commemorated the 2026 International Day of Desertification and Drought in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The event, organised by TechnoServe Nigeria with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and Nestlé Nigeria, recognised farmers championing land restoration and climate resilience through the Strengthening Farmers and SMEs Resilience through Climate-Smart Grain Production (STreFaS) project.

Held under the theme, “Restoring Land. Rewarding Farmers. Building Resilience,” the programme brought together government officials, development partners, agricultural experts, agribusinesses and farmers to explore practical solutions to land degradation and promote sustainable food production.

As part of the event, farmers from Kaduna and Nasarawa states who successfully implemented regenerative agricultural practices during the 2025 farming season received financial incentives from Nestlé Nigeria.

According to the organisers, the premium payments are designed to encourage the adoption of sustainable farming methods that improve soil health, boost agricultural productivity and strengthen farmers’ resilience to the effects of climate change, including drought, erratic rainfall and declining soil fertility.

The three-year STreFaS project has supported thousands of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses in adopting climate-smart farming techniques such as minimum tillage, cover cropping, agroforestry, mulching, integrated pest management, soil testing and water conservation.

The organisers noted that the initiative is helping to restore degraded land while improving crop yields, enhancing food security and strengthening the livelihoods of farming communities.

Speaking at the event, the Country Director of TechnoServe Nigeria, Mrs Adesuwa Akinboro, represented by the Director of Programmes, Mr Shadrack Gusuu, said healthy soils remain the foundation of food security and sustainable agriculture.

He said, “The International Day of Desertification and Drought reminds us that healthy soils are essential for food security, resilient livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural development. Through the STreFaS project, we are equipping farmers with practical regenerative agriculture solutions that improve productivity while restoring the natural resources on which farming depends.”

Representing Nestlé Nigeria, Mr Alidu Amadu reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building sustainable food systems through regenerative agriculture.

According to him, “Farmers are at the heart of this transformation. Through the premium payment initiative, we are recognising and rewarding farmers who are taking deliberate steps to improve soil health, restore degraded land, and strengthen the resilience of their farms.”

Also speaking, Dr Esther Ibrahim of AGRA called for stronger collaboration to address land degradation through farmer-focused interventions.

She said climate-smart agriculture has proven to be an effective approach to improving farm productivity while restoring the environment, adding that sustained investment and collective action remain critical to achieving lasting results.

The event highlighted the growing importance of regenerative agriculture as a sustainable solution for combating desertification, improving climate resilience, and securing the future of smallholder farming in Nigeria.