Nestlé Nigeria’s flagship seasoning brand, MAGGI, is deepening its commitment to local sourcing and sustainable agriculture with the successful completion of its Regenerative Agriculture (RegenAg) pilot project, a milestone that is now shaping a nationwide expansion to benefit 25,000 smallholder farmers.

The pilot, launched in 2023 with an investment of over ₦100 million, supported 1,030 soybean farmers across Nigeria to adopt climate-smart and regenerative farming practices that improved yields while revitalizing the soil. It was implemented in collaboration with TechnoServe and IDH, under the technical guidance of Ghana’s Centre for No-Till Agriculture (CNTA).

Through simple yet impactful techniques—such as cover cropping, minimal tillage (ripping), crop rotation, and the use of hedgerows—the project demonstrated how regenerative methods can both enhance farm productivity and restore ecological balance.

According to Funmi Osineye, Category Manager for Culinary at Nestlé Nigeria, the initiative reflects MAGGI’s long-term vision for sustainable food production:

“Soybean is a key ingredient in MAGGI, and supporting local farmers to grow it sustainably is central to our mission,” said Funmi Osineye, Category Manager for Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria. “This initiative is more than a sourcing strategy; it is an investment in resilient food systems. By equipping farmers, especially women and youth, with regenerative agriculture skills, we are improving productivity today while protecting the land for future generations. This is how MAGGI continues to nourish Nigerian families while helping build a stronger agricultural economy.”

The completion of the pilot was marked by a celebratory event attended by over 150 stakeholders from the agriculture, development, and industry sectors. During the event, five outstanding farmers were recognized for their exemplary adoption of regenerative techniques.

One of the awardees, Engineer Lawan Abdul, shared his success story:

“Since I started adopting these strategies, as we were taught in this project, my yields have increased by 100%. This was very encouraging, and I would like to applaud the project organizers and thank MAGGI for bringing this to us.” 

Building on these results, MAGGI and its partners—including AGRA and Nestlé’s global sustainability division—are scaling up the project to reach 25,000 smallholder farmers nationwide. The expanded program aims to produce over 80,000 metric tonnes of quality grains annually, with an increasing proportion grown through regenerative methods.

Alidu Amadu, Head of Agriculture Services for Nestlé Central & West Africa Region (CWAR), emphasized the broader significance of the collaboration:

“This project shows what is possible when businesses, development partners and farmers work together,” said Alidu Amadu, Head of Agriculture Services, Nestlé Central & West Africa Region (CWAR). “Regenerative agriculture not only restores soil health but also builds long-term productivity and resilience for local communities.”

The initiative aligns with Nestlé’s global ambition to source 20% of key ingredients through regenerative agriculture by 2025, and 50% by 2030, reinforcing Nigeria’s goals for food security, climate resilience, and rural development.

MAGGI’s ongoing investment in local farming thus represents more than a sustainability pledge—it’s a blueprint for how corporate partnerships can empower communities, strengthen local supply chains, and nurture the environment for generations to come.