ThriveAgric, Mercy Corps Unveil Grain Facility to Boost Gombe Farmers’ Earnings, Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
In a strategic move to support Gombe State’s smallholder farmers, ThriveAgric, in collaboration with Mercy Corps, has launched the Multipurpose Grain Facility project under the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity (RRA).
Located in Nasarawo Industrial Layout, the facility is designed to enhance rice processing, reduce post-harvest losses, and bolster Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Gombe’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Mr. Barnabas Malle, inaugurated the facility on Wednesday, highlighting its role in minimizing crop wastage and improving income for local farmers. “Our farmers face significant challenges due to post-harvest losses and lack of modern processing facilities.
This new grain facility is a direct response to these issues and a catalyst for economic growth,” Malle said.
The rice cleaning and milling facility will benefit over 20,000 farmers, offering efficient processing to improve rice quality, which is expected to fetch better market prices.
ThriveAgric CEO Uka Eje emphasized that the initiative aims to make agriculture a more profitable venture for smallholders, moving beyond subsistence to a sustainable income-generating activity.
Mercy Corps representative Shedrack Gideon underscored the facility’s potential to attract further investment in the agricultural sector in Gombe, while rice farmer Mrs. Blessing Stephen expressed optimism, noting that the facility would significantly cut down processing time and increase profitability.
This initiative marks a significant step towards self-sufficiency, supporting Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts through agricultural value addition and resilience.
