In the heart of Nigeria’s vast agricultural landscape, millions of smallholder farmers face an urgent challenge: how to sustain their livelihoods in the face of changing weather patterns, poor market access, and declining soil fertility. The stakes are high, as these farmers not only feed their families but also contribute to the nation’s food security.

In response, Propcom+ is reshaping the way small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs engage with agricultural markets, bringing solutions to agriculture that are viable, scalable, and resilient.

A Market-Driven Solution to an Agricultural Crisis

For decades, Nigeria’s rural agricultural markets have suffered from inefficiencies: lack of access to quality seeds, poor distribution networks, and limited investment opportunities. Propcom+ is tackling these issues head-on by taking a market-systems approach that empowers farmers, enhances resilience, and attracts private sector investment.

At the core of Propcom+ is the belief that market-driven change, rather than dependency on aid, can create lasting solutions. The programme operates through a three-pronged strategy: scaling climate-smart agricultural models by mobilising private investment and advocating for regulatory reforms; identifying and piloting innovative farming techniques that enhance climate resilience while simultaneously reducing environmental degradation; and creating an enabling policy environment to ensure the long-term sustainability of these interventions. By the time the programme concludes in 2030, it aims to have improved the incomes of 3.79 million smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, with half of them being women. Additionally, the initiative seeks to mobilise £204 million in private sector investment, helping to drive large-scale change.

Empowering Local Entrepreneurs Through Seed Distribution

One of the greatest obstacles facing smallholders in Nigeria is the difficulty of obtaining high-quality seeds. Traditional supply chains often fail to reach remote farming communities, leaving farmers dependent on poor-quality seeds that yield inconsistent harvests. To address this challenge, Propcom+ introduced the Rural Seed Promoter (RSP) model, a groundbreaking approach that empowers local micro-entrepreneurs to distribute certified seeds within their own communities.

These Rural Seed Promoters function as intermediaries, purchasing improved seed varieties from major distributors and selling them directly to farmers. This model not only ensures that smallholders gain access to better seeds but also fosters local entrepreneurship, creating new business opportunities in the process. Many of these micro-entrepreneurs are women, whose roles in agricultural distribution are expanding due to this initiative. By 2026, the programme expects to have delivered 4,000 metric tonnes of seeds to farming communities, reaching at least 295,000 smallholder farmers, 40 percent of whom will be women.

Beyond mere distribution, Propcom+ is also working to strengthen rural seed distribution networks by adopting innovative business models that integrate RSP channels with grassroots organisations. This approach deepens market penetration and ensures that farmers are not only aware of improved seed varieties but are also educated on their benefits. Through targeted rural marketing campaigns, awareness initiatives, and community-led capacity-building programmes, the programme aims to drive widespread adoption of climate-resilient seeds that enhance productivity and nutritional outcomes.

Making Agriculture Bankable: Attracting Investment for Growth

While grants and technical assistance play a role in the early stages of Propcom+, the long-term goal is to shift towards a financially viable model that attracts private sector investment. Recognising that traditional financial institutions often hesitate to invest in smallholder agriculture due to perceived risks, Propcom+ is working closely with businesses to improve investment readiness.

Through targeted support, the programme helps agribusinesses navigate market access barriers, co-create financial products tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers, and establish strategic linkages with investors. By fostering partnerships between agricultural enterprises and financial institutions, Propcom+ is laying the groundwork for a sustainable investment ecosystem. The ultimate aim is to transform agriculture into a bankable, investable sector where businesses, farmers, and investors all benefit from a well-functioning market system.

Building on a Legacy of Success

Propcom+ is not an entirely new initiative; rather, it builds upon the foundation of a highly successful predecessor programme, Propcom Mai-Karfi. Funded by the UK government, Propcom Mai-Karfi ran from 2012 to 2021, targeting 19 northern Nigerian states with a focus on rural and agricultural market development. Over its nine-year span, the programme supported 1.4 million smallholders and generated over £112 million in incomes and investments, fundamentally transforming agricultural market systems in the region.

Now, the new initiative aims to scale its impact beyond northern Nigeria, with a renewed emphasis on climate resilience and optimised agricultural practices. By leveraging past learnings and adapting to evolving market needs, Propcom+ is positioned to drive even greater systemic change in the years ahead.

A Future of Sustainable Agriculture

By harnessing market forces, empowering local entrepreneurs, and fostering an enabling policy environment, Propcom+ is proving that sustainable agriculture is not just possible, it is profitable and scalable. Through a combination of financial incentives, innovative distribution models, and policy reforms, the programme is laying the groundwork for a future where smallholder farmers are not merely surviving but thriving.

As Nigeria looks toward 2030, the vision is clear: a resilient agricultural sector where farmers benefit from increased incomes, enhanced productivity, and a system that truly works for them. For the millions of smallholder farmers across the country, Propcom+ is more than an initiative. It is a lifeline to a sustainable and prosperous future.

Propcom+ is an initiative led by Palladium, a global impact firm working to improve economic growth, sustainability, and social development worldwide. With a focus on sustainable agriculture and private sector engagement, Propcom+ aims to create lasting change by strengthening rural markets and enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.