Olam Agri Seeds for the Future Initiative wins Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award 2023
Leading Nigerian company Olam Agri (https://www.OlamAgri.com/), which specializes in food, feed, and fiber, has received recognition for its significant sustainability commitment. The African Food Awards 2023, which were presented on June 16 in Nairobi, Kenya, recognized the agribusiness’ Seeds for the Future (SFTF) initiative as the Sustainability Initiative of the Year.
The Africa Food Awards honor the top businesses and people in Africa’s expanding food manufacturing, retail, academic, and food service industries. The awards recognize excellence and promote the use of cutting-edge techniques and equipment in Africa’s food manufacturing, retail, and service industries.
The Olam Agri Seeds for the Future Initiative, one of the winners of the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award, was introduced as Olam Agri in Nigeria’s wheat value-chain social sustainability investment vehicle in 2021. It is driven by five key levers, including helping farmers and farming communities, enabling greater access to education and skill development for youth, empowering women (farmers and bakers), promoting health and nutrition, and lowering carbon emissions.
An amazing first-year outcome of the initiative’s multi-year study, seed trial, and multiplication effort was announced in 2022. It inspired hope that Nigeria is moving in the right direction to boost levels of domestic wheat production. The project is expanding its influence to other sectors now that it is a full-fledged foundation.
Francis Juma, the founder and CEO of FW Africa, the organization that organized the awards, declared: “After evaluation by our judging committee, Olam Agri’s sustainability investment through the Seeds for the Future Foundation met all criteria of reach, depth, and impact, towers above the competition in the sustainability investment category, and deserves to receive one of the Sustainability Initiative Award for the year 2023.”
He commended the company for its outstanding management and targeted investment, which aims to spur significant economic growth in all of its operating markets.
Ashish Pande, the Country Head of Olam Agri in Nigeria, commented on the recognition of the award by saying, “We will keep scaling up investment in initiatives that positively influence farming communities, consumer health, the environment, and government’s ambition for economic growth. A key engine for our larger investment initiatives is the Seed for the Future Foundation. Our level of effect is highlighted by the Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award award.
He reiterated that the company would not rest on its laurels while thanking the award organizer for the recognition. He insisted that it would continue to make investments to support Nigeria’s food processing and production industries.
Bio Food Products, Ngorongo Tea, Farmers Choice, EARBL, the Marindi Healthy Woman, and Broadway Bakery are among the winners in the same category.
The Africa Food Industry Week, which included high-profile occasions including the Africa Sustainability Symposium, AFMASS Food Expo, and the Africa Food Safety Summit, all hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, coincided with the Africa Food Awards.
