Thousands of smallholder farmers in West Africa are set to receive new support after Olam Agri and IDH (The Sustainable Trade Initiative) expanded their partnership to improve food production, strengthen rural incomes and promote climate-smart farming.

The agreement comes as countries across Africa look for practical ways to improve food security while helping farmers cope with changing weather patterns and rising production costs.

The renewed partnership builds on projects already underway in Ghana and Nigeria, where both organizations have worked with farmers to improve yields, strengthen market access and encourage sustainable farming practices.

Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, Olam Agri will combine its global sourcing and processing network with IDH’s experience in developing partnerships that support responsible agricultural supply chains.

The partners said the broader agreement is designed to create more opportunities for farmers, rural businesses, cooperatives and local communities while strengthening food supply chains across the region.

Ghana project focuses on women and wheat production

One of the first projects under the renewed partnership will begin in Ghana through IDH’s Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) program.

The initiative will help small and medium-sized enterprises grow drought-tolerant wheat while expanding access to buyers and improving local production.

The program will also support women working in the baking and food-processing sectors by creating more business opportunities and helping strengthen local supply chains from farm to market.

Nigeria project builds on existing success

The Ghana initiative follows an ongoing project in Kwara State, Nigeria, where about 5,000 soybean farmers receive training on climate-smart farming practices, improved crop management and stronger links to markets.

The expanded partnership will also support youth and women entrepreneurs, local processing, landscape restoration and efforts to improve food production while encouraging farming practices that protect natural resources.

The organizations said they will also explore crop purchasing arrangements that can provide farmers with more reliable market opportunities.

Partners plan broader expansion across Africa

Dr. Shailendra Mishra, Olam Agri’s global head of sustainability for food, feed and freight, said long-term improvements in agriculture depend on strong partnerships that help farmers address economic and environmental challenges.

IDH Chief Executive Officer Daan Wensing said connecting sustainable sourcing with better rural livelihoods is key to building stronger food supply chains.

Olam Agri is a global agribusiness operating across food, feed and fiber value chains.

The company sources, processes and markets agricultural commodities while working with farming communities in more than 30 countries to improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and expand market access.

Looking ahead, Olam Agri and IDH said they will identify new opportunities across African markets, with a focus on sustainable sourcing, climate-resilient farming, local value addition, stronger processing capacity and wider market access for smallholder farmers.