Growsel Receives Agro Machinery & Grant from Mitsubishi Corp
We are happy to announce that Growsel Microfunds Inc, our award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting the underserved bottom of the pyramid (BOP) smallholder farmers across remote communities have received Agricultural Machinery and Crop Centre donations from Mitsubishi Corporation.
The donation is to further support and empower smallholder farmers to increase productivity and quality of life in line with Mitsubishi Corporation and Growsel Microfunds core values and mandates.
The project would be executed and managed by Zowasel, as a Proof of Concept (PoC) to determine the visibility of agricultural machinery rental services for smallholder farmers in Nigeria using Zowasel’s extensive network of smallholder farmers across its remote Crop Centre infrastructures.
The goal is to cut back on manual labor and ease farmers’ production by determining the acceptance of a motorized mini tractor, mini harvester, hand-held planter, and a hand-held tiller.
The PoC was kickoff at Kawo village, Doma LGA of Nasarawa State, and contributes to developing the Rice, Soybean, and Sesame value chains across the north-central state of Nigeria. Smallholder farmers from the host and neighboring communities were present at the Crop Centre to witness the launch.
With the collaboration, Zowasel is aiming to provide smallholder farmers within its network with accessible and affordable agricultural machinery through sustainable rental services right in their domain to improve and increase harvest and income.
Speaking during the launch event at Kawo village, Nassarawa State, the Managing Director of Mitsubishi Corporation (Nigeria), Makoto Saito, said, “the partnership aligns with Mitsubishi Corporation’s core philosophy and supports the common goal of solving social issues. It provides opportunities to empower rural dwellers across host and neighboring communities”. According to him, ”we are looking forward to a successful collaboration with the team from Growsel and Zowasel to help increase smallholder farmers’ productivity and improve their quality of life in Nigeria”.
To further support smallholder farmers in improving their socio-economic and financial livelihoods and sustainable farming practices, Zowasel offers free agronomy services and GAP training to provide a fair and reasonably secure living for farmers to build their path to prosperity.
Also speaking, our President and CEO, Jerry OCHE said, “We’re excited to see the kickoff of our partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation (Nigeria). We’re already overwhelmed by the number of bookings for the agricultural machinery in the first week of launch, as smallholder farmers who typically go as far as 400 kilometers or more to seek machinery are now walking into our remote crop center to book for mechanization.”
Through its Marketplace, Zowasel offers direct market access to premium buyers for smallholder farmers to sell and earn more for their crops. Vetted buyers on Zowasel Marketplace include Guinness Nigeria, FMN, Barry Callebaut, Olam, Grand Cereals, Promasidor, Tolaram, and Sucden, amongst others.
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is a globally integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses together with its offices and subsidiaries in approximately 90 countries and regions worldwide, as well as a global network of around 1,700 group companies. More information on MC can be found at https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/
