Nestle Trains Over 30,000 On Millet, Sorghum Farming
As part of effort towards ensuring that it source its raw materials locally, Nestle Nigeria, in partnership with the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) has trained over 30,000 farmers on sorghum and millet farming in the last two years.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Lagos recently, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, who said this, pointed out that the initiative has been beneficial to the food and beverages company.
According to her, farmers now produce high quality grains with less post-harvest losses. This, she said had led to an improvement in their livelihoods.
Uwadoka explained: “We believe by creating sustainable value for the society and our stakeholders, we would ensure the continued longevity and success of our business- a concept called ‘Creating Shared Value’.
“In line with our purpose, which is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future, creating shared value is embedded in everything we do. Our initiatives are founded on three pillars: individuals and families, our communities and the planet. We work alongside partners and other stakeholders to create value for the individuals and grow our natural ingredients, the families that enjoy our nutritious products, the communities where we live and work, and the planet upon which we all depend.”
Nestlé Nigeria recently refurbished facilities in two primary schools to help create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning in its factory communities.
This, according to the company, was in line with its commitment to improving livelihoods in the communities closest to its operations.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director/CEO, Nestle Nigeria, Mauricio Alarcon had said: “We believe that the long term success of our business is dependent on nurturing thriving communities closest to our operations.
“We therefore work with our partners to enhance living conditions in the localities where most of our staff, suppliers and host communities reside. This is one of the ways we ensure that everyone connected to our business derives a benefit. We call this Creating Shared Value.”
The company said the recent handover of the refurbished facilities in two schools close to its Abaji and Flowergate factories underlined its efforts towards impacting its factory communities positively.
The two schools, LEA Primary School Manderegi and NUD Primary School, Owode Egba, are part of Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK), a school-based nutrition education initiative supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Education.
