By:Abdullahi Inuwa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Ebele Integrated Farms has entered into a landmark partnership with international agricultural technology firm Shengtian Global Innovation Ltd and its consortium partners to establish high-value crop value chains aimed at supplying the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries.
The strategic agreement was reached during a meeting held in Abuja at the office of former President Jonathan, who serves as Chairman of Ebele Integrated Farms, alongside key representatives of the consortium, including Mr. Abubakar Yerima of Shengtian Global Innovation Ltd and the lead technical partner, Mr. Li Jiaqi.
The collaboration is expected to position Nigeria as a major producer and exporter of plant-based active ingredients used in medicines, beauty products and health supplements, tapping into a rapidly expanding global market projected to reach $70 billion by 2031.
Under the arrangement, the international consortium will provide certified planting materials, advanced cultivation systems, modern processing technology and access to international markets, while Ebele Integrated Farms will contribute land, operational expertise and local implementation.
The project will begin with pilot cultivation before expanding into full-scale commercial production, with a focus on producing premium natural ingredients for export and domestic industrial use.
Industry stakeholders believe the initiative could significantly diversify Nigeria’s agricultural exports, create thousands of jobs, stimulate rural economic development and boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings through value-added agricultural production.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Abubakar Yerima described the partnership as a major step towards transforming Nigeria into a competitive player in the global market for high-value agricultural products.
“This partnership brings world-class technology to Nigeria’s agricultural sector. We are committed to building a transparent, bankable and export-oriented industry,” he said.
The partners disclosed that the next phase of the collaboration will involve the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), detailed technical assessments and the commencement of pilot implementation, with all activities to be carried out in compliance with Nigerian laws and regulatory requirements.
The agreement marks another effort to leverage international expertise and technology to unlock Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential while creating sustainable economic opportunities across the country’s rural communities.
About The Author
