PVNL empowers over 625,000 farmers through 16 years of agricultural development initiatives

Palm Valley Nigeria Limited (PVNL), an agribusiness and agricultural development company, says it has empowered more than 625,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria over the past 16 years through programmes designed to improve agricultural productivity, increase incomes and strengthen rural livelihoods.

The company, established in 2008, said its interventions focus on supporting women and young people by providing access to agricultural financing, certified farm inputs, extension services, produce aggregation, processing facilities and market linkages across key value chains, including maize, soybean, rice and ginger.

PVNL said its operations are guided by the principles of collaboration, integrity, transparency and excellence, enabling it to deliver sustainable agricultural solutions in partnership with development agencies, financial institutions and farming communities.

OCP Africa partnership reaches over 500,000 farmers

The company said one of its flagship initiatives is its partnership with OCP Africa under the Agribooster Programme, which has reached more than 500,000 smallholder farmers since 2019.

According to PVNL, the programme provides farmers with specialised fertiliser blends, extension services and access to farm inputs through OCP input hubs in Kaduna State, helping those cultivating between half and one hectare of land improve productivity and crop yields.

AGRA initiative supports women and youth

PVNL also highlighted its collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) through the Gender Consortium Project, launched in Kaduna and Niger states in 2022.

The three-year programme enrolled about 50,000 women and youth farmers annually between 2022 and 2024 while establishing women-owned agro-processing centres and point-of-sale kiosks to improve market access and financial inclusion.

The company said Village Savings Schemes introduced under the project have also enabled women farmers to build savings and expand their businesses.

WOFAN partnership benefits over 300,000 people

PVNL said its partnership with the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) under the Mastercard Foundation-funded ICON2 Programme has so far onboarded 309,000 community partners across Kaduna, Nasarawa and Benue states, with women accounting for 80 per cent of beneficiaries.

According to the company, the five-year programme, which runs from 2023 to 2028, has established 51 community processing centres equipped with processing machines, renewable energy systems and farm equipment to reduce post-harvest losses and improve value addition.

PVNL added that the programme’s sustainability phase, introduced in 2025, has supported more than 114,000 beneficiaries, including persons with disabilities, produce marketers and logistics providers.

The intervention also included the establishment of 60 business hubs for persons with disabilities, the distribution of 120 logistics tricycles, more than 680 tonnes of rice for produce marketers, wheelchairs and other business support equipment.

Financing programme generates ₦3 billion

The company disclosed that its Smallholder Women and Youth Agric Finance (SWAY-AGFin) Programme, implemented in partnership with Sterling Bank between 2021 and 2024, supported more than 10,000 women and youth farmers across Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

PVNL said the programme facilitated the aggregation of more than 5,000 metric tonnes of agricultural produce, generating over ₦3 billion in revenue while improving access to farm inputs and structured markets.

Climate-smart agriculture gains traction

The agribusiness firm also said it is promoting climate-smart agriculture through its partnership with IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative.

According to the company, about 4,000 maize and soybean farmers received training on regenerative agricultural practices in 2025, alongside the distribution of more than 20,000 tree seedlings. Another 1,000 farmers are expected to benefit in 2026.

PVNL further stated that it has expanded its work in the ginger value chain through collaboration with GIZ EU-VACE, supporting farmers with training on Good Agronomic Practices, seed multiplication, input financing, produce aggregation and market access.

Beneficiaries recount impact

Several beneficiaries described the programmes as life-changing.

Aisha Tanimu Muhammad, a beneficiary of the AGRA project in Niger State, said the intervention enabled her to establish a business and support her family financially.

“The support has enabled me to send my children to school, contribute to my husband’s medical bills, and even support my son’s marriage, all without begging,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Zainab Adamu, said the provision of a kiosk and point-of-sale machine transformed her livelihood.

“Through this support, I have been able to sponsor my son’s education and also contribute significantly to his marriage. Before PVNL came my way, I felt completely helpless,” she said.

Joshua Hassan, who participated in the WOFAN ICON2 Programme in Kaduna State, said receiving a business hub and wheelchair restored his independence.

“Through the wheelchair I received, I am now able to move myself to my business shop and continue my work with dignity and independence,” he said.

Other beneficiaries of the SWAY-AGFin Programme also reported improved farm yields and higher incomes after gaining access to quality seeds, fertilisers and technical support.

Leadership driving agricultural transformation

PVNL is led by Ezekiel Jatau, an agronomist with more than 27 years of experience in agribusiness and agricultural value chain development.

The company said his leadership has strengthened collaborations with organisations including AGRA, WOFAN, OCP Africa, IDH, Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and GIZ EU-VACE, as it continues to promote sustainable agriculture and improve livelihoods across Nigeria.

According to PVNL, its long-term goal remains to empower rural communities, improve food security and contribute to inclusive economic growth through innovative agricultural development programmes.