The British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation has launched the second phase of its rice farming support program in Ebonyi State with the distribution of farming inputs to 200 smallholder farmers ahead of the 2025 planting season.

The beneficiaries were drawn from an initial cohort of 400 farmers supported by the Foundation in 2024 across four communities: Eketube Enyigba (Abakaliki LGA), Ndiokeda (Izzi LGA), Ogwulangwu (Ohaozara LGA), and Nduikbi (Ebonyi LGA).

The intervention includes 1,000 kg of improved rice seeds, 6,000 kg of fertilizer, as well as herbicides, pesticides, and other inputs, is aimed at cultivating at least 20 hectares of rice.

The General Manager of BATNF, Oludare Odusanya, while speaking at the distribution event emphasized the Foundation’s long-term vision for sustainable agriculture.

“This is not just about inputs; it’s about building resilience. Our goal is to ensure smallholder farmers are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and access they need to become self-reliant and productive contributors to Nigeria’s food system,” Odusanya said.

Odusanya highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, which is being implemented in partnership with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Agriculture and Ecofield Agrolink Enterprises.

“Success in agriculture today demands a multi-stakeholder approach. We’re proud to work closely with government and private sector actors to scale impact,” he added.

BATNF’s intervention in Ebonyi began in 2024 with capacity-building initiatives, including on-field training, demonstration plots, and agronomic best practices for rice cultivation. The Foundation’s ongoing support reflects a strategic approach to rural development that prioritizes productivity, sustainability, and market access.

Looking ahead, the Foundation plans to launch a third phase in 2026, an enterprise development initiative that will support 100 farmers to cultivate 100 hectares of rice, with added access to market linkage services designed to boost profitability and ensure steady income flows.

Since its inception in 2002, BATN Foundation has invested over ₦4 billion in rural agricultural development and impacted more than 1.7 million farmers across Nigeria. Its work in Ebonyi is part of a broader mission to improve smallholder livelihoods and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

“You are the backbone of Nigeria’s food security,” Odusanya told the gathered farmers. “We’re here to support your journey and to ensure that your efforts yield results, not just this season, but for generations to come.”

The Ebonyi intervention underscores how targeted private-sector investment, in collaboration with local partners, can accelerate rural development and drive meaningful progress toward national food security goals.