the main focus
of the green imperative project.
The sustainable path for the development of strong agriculture.
main focus
service centers
The Service Centers will be the main elements of success of the project’s implementation structure. They will offer a technological package consisting of machine and equipment services (mechanization and agricultural processing), quality inputs (hybrid varieties of improved seeds, fertilizers and pesticides), technical assistance and training for small farmers, in order to guarantee consistent results of productivity and quality of agricultural production.
Through the technological package offered to small farmers, they will reach a significant increase in the productivity and quality of their products.
In total, 774 private service centers will be created, well distributed throughout Nigeria. These Service Centers will have a permanent stock of quality inputs, as well as storage and processing capacity for smallholder farmers products.
The Service Centers will be implemented based on value chains, according to the comparative and complementary advantage of each region, state and municipality where they will be located. Each value chain will have its specific technological package and adequate training offered by its service center, in order to guarantee competitive production and in line with market demand.
Young technicians, from the Npower Agro Program of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will join the technical staff of the Service Centers to be trained to provide agricultural extension services and production planning, carried out in partnership with small producers and focused on to market demands.
The selection of private operators for the Service Centers will be according to the follow technical criteria below:
• Candidates’ financial and technical capacity;
• Business plan evaluation (each candidate must present a business
plan to be analyzed by independent and competent evaluators in a transparent manner);
• Interview with candidates: Discussion of the business plan and evaluation of agricultural experience and management skills;
• Ownership of land located among primary producers for their own
production, as well as space for tractors and implements to provide
services to small farmers, as well as factory space for adding value and processing.
Service Center type 1
Primary production
• Primary Production Mechanisation: clearing of new areas for cultivation, soil preparation, disking, levelling, mechanised planting, spraying, and mechanised harvest.
• Primary animal production: animal breeding and fattening (cattle, birds, fish etc)
• Optimised yield and improved productivity: improved seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, agricultural extension training and services
Service Center type 2
PROCESSING AND ADDING VALUE
• Food processing: carry out industrial processing (or pre-processing) basic production activities of Type 1 Service Centres.
• Industrial processing will bring additional benefits, such as increased product life, standardisation, import substitution, reduction of post-harvest losses and market access for small farmers.
