NAMTARI PROJECT

Executive Summary

The Integrated Irrigated Rice + Rotational crop Farm - Namtari Project (IRF-NP) is a transformative initiative demonstrating the power of the Integrated Impact Enterprise (IIE) model. This project, led by The Agricultural Assets Development Company Ltd. (AADC), leverages private-sector innovation to address critical development challenges, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and foster inclusive economic growth in the Benue River Valley of Adamawa State, Nigeria.

The IRF-NP offers a unique opportunity for partners to achieve their mandates through a proven, scalable, and impactful project that combines food security, poverty alleviation, community development, and environmental stewardship.

The IIE Business Model

Core Principles

• Private Sector Leadership: Groups of companies and individuals with relevant expertise form an entity focused on sustainable development through commercial activities.
• High Impact Areas: Projects are chosen based on their ability to address multiple SDGs simultaneously, such as agriculture, which impacts food security (SDG 2), poverty (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13).
• Wealth Creation for All: The model ensures that profit generation drives community wealth and development by creating a symbiotic relationship where each stakeholder benefits, particularly through the empowerment of women, youth, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
• Integrated SDG Focus: At least 10 SDGs are directly addressed through the entity's core business activities, ensuring that sustainable development is not an add-on but a fundamental aspect of business strategy.
• Development Framework: A structured approach to community enhancement, focusing on education, health, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, tailored to local needs.
• Policy Implementation Support: Working closely with government agencies to translate policy into action, ensuring local policy frameworks are supportive of the entity's goals.
• Profit Orientation: High profitability is pursued not only for business sustainability but also to reinvest in community projects, ensuring a cycle of growth and development.

Namtari Project Overview

AADC's Integrated Rice Farming and Nutrition Program (IRF-NP) is strategically located in Jimeta-Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, just 15 minutes from Yola International Airport, with access via a World Bank-financed RAMP road. The 5,000-hectare site, owned & aggregated by AADC through its Agricultural LandBank (ALB) System, is situated on fertile land along the River Benue, ensuring year-round water availability for production.

The project has already supported smallholder farmers on a 50-hectare rice production that yielded 8.4T of rice. Currently, 1,000ha is being prepared for rice production, with plans to scale and crop rotate 2,000ha for Alfalfa, 1,000ha for Maize, 500ha for Sesame, and 500ha for livestock & aqua-culture. The location includes areas for rice processing, storage, drying, equipment housing, and worker accommodation.

Project Impact

Food Production

The Inclusive, Integrated, Irrigated Rice + Rotational Crop Farm-Namtari Project (3IRF-NP) is located in the Upper River Benue Valley, in the Namtari District of Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Powered by the Integrated Impact Enterprise (IIE) model, it targets an initial annual production of 14,000 Metric Tonnes p.a of rice on 1,000 hectares of irrigated farmland, based on an Average Yield of 7 Mt/Ha. This section of the Upper River Benue Valley has the potential to scale up to 30,000 hectares, producing about 210,000 Mt of Paddy Rice annually, significantly reducing Nigeria's rice import dependency.

Job Creation

The 1000 Ha 3IRF-NP, serving as a center of agricultural excellence, will generate about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, with 60% dedicated to women and youth. It boosts rural employment, enhances farmer skills through training, and promotes financial inclusion—empowering communities, reducing poverty, and advancing gender equity.

Community Impact

The project directly impacts 11 immediate communities surrounding the farms, with a combined estimated population of 15,000 people. These communities benefit from job creation, financial inclusion, healthcare, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring inclusive growth and development.

SDG Alignment

The IRF-NP directly contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Operational Excellence

Technology Integration

At AADC, operational excellence is driven by Best Agricultural Practices (BAPs) and the integration of advanced technology across all aspects of our rice farming operations. These include precision agriculture tools such as drones and soil sensors to monitor crop health, optimize input use, and improve yield forecasts in real time. Solar-powered irrigation systems ensure energy-efficient and climate-resilient water management, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing sustainability.

Community Engagement

AADC places strong emphasis on community involvement by integrating smallholder farmers into every stage of our agricultural value chain. Through educational training programs, capacity-building workshops, and fair partnership models, we have empowered local farmers with the skills and tools needed for increased productivity and profitability. Our Agricultural Land Banks (ALBs) create access to shared resources and infrastructure, while our inclusive approach fosters loyalty, trust, and long-term collaboration.

We have enrolled community members into the Namtari Community Development & Sustainability Marshals (NCDSM) as frontline SDG marshals and being integrated into a broader community of change agents.

Risk Mitigation Measures

Environmental Risk Mitigation

• Flooding: Use flood-tolerant varieties, build bunds (0.3–0.5 m) and cofferdams, time planting (June 10–30).
• Drought: Implement Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) to save 30% water, construct reservoirs, use laser leveling for 5–10% yield boost.
• Soil Erosion: Practice conservation agriculture, apply balanced N-P-K fertilizers, manage salinity with gypsum.
• Pests/Diseases: Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Economic Risk Mitigation

• Input Costs: Advocate for subsidies.
• Market Fluctuations: Engage in contract farming, invest in on-farm processing.
• Labor Shortages: Use labor-saving tech.

Social and Policy Risk Mitigation

• Land Conflicts: Formalize land titles, establish mediation committees.
• Extension Services: Set up Farmer Field Schools, use digital tools for alerts.
• Policy Gaps: Advocate for funding, form public-private partnerships.

Location & Facilities

AADC's IRF-NP is strategically located in Jimeta-Yola, the Capital of Adamawa State of Nigeria within just a 15 minutes' drive from the Yola international airport. It is a unique farm location because it is located within the heart of the state capital in Yola North local government area. Access to the farm is through a world bank financed Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) Road.

The farmland is extremely fertile and annexes the River Benue with water availability year-round for our rice farming operations. Our operational headquarters is based in Jimeta Yola, the Capital of Adamawa State. It serves as the central hub for agricultural/field administration, management, and logistics.

The IRF-NP area has 2000 hectares dedicated to rice farming with additional hectares set aside as designated areas for rice processing and milling, paddy storage and drying areas, equipment shed and workshop, farm service roads, temporary accommodation for field workers, etc.