Facilitating market access for agricultural businesses to thrive
Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Yer Ballahhe, the Chief Executive Officer of Albit and Agro Consult Limited, is a shining example of how the intervention of the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity can transform businesses. Albit and Agro Consult Limited, located in Adamawa State, Northeast Nigeria, specializes in climate-smart agriculture and the production of innovative agricultural equipment, including roller-push weeders, manual push-roller planters, and motorized sprayers. Additionally, they offer Albit organic fertilizer as a substitute for NPK fertilizer, which is currently restricted in the region due to security concerns.
During a recent USAID Field Visit to Yola, Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Yer Ballahhe expressed his gratitude for the partnership with the Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) and highlighted its significant impact on his company's growth and success.
“Prior to the partnership, we struggled to meet our financial obligations, including employee salaries and benefits. However, since collaborating with the Rural Resilience Activity, we have experienced remarkable progress. Through the linkage with farmers and participation in events like the input fair, our sales have skyrocketed, resulting in a staggering 300% increase in gross profit. Furthermore, the partnership has enabled us to establish desk offices in Biu, Borno State, expanding our reach and influence.”
Recognizing Albit and Agro Consult Limited's potential, the company was awarded the COVID-19 Mitigation Response cash grant. Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Yer Ballahhe expressed profound gratitude to the Rural Resilience Activity for this timely support, which proved invaluable in navigating the challenges posed by the post-COVID-19 landscape.
“We are immensely grateful for the prompt financial assistance. At that critical time, fuel prices soared, and it was the dry season when we typically face difficulties due to the high fuel costs associated with our machinery. We were on the verge of abandoning our farm. However, the funds allowed us to purchase sufficient fuel, hire labor, and carry out essential activities, including weeding and harvesting during the harvest season.”
Through its partnership with the Rural Resilience Activity, Albit and Agro Consult Limited has witnessed a significant boost in capacity. The flexible funding and facilitated market access provided by the Activity have empowered the company to effectively address the emerging needs and priorities of smallholder farmers in northeast Nigeria.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to USAID for their unwavering support through the Rural Resilience Activity. The Activity’s intervention came at a critical time when our business was on the brink of closure. The program filled all the gaps we were facing and supported us during our most challenging times.”
This effort contributes directly to USAID's commitment to promoting sustainable development through localization. By empowering local actors like Albit and Agro Consult Limited, USAID is enabling them to spearhead solutions to development challenges tailored to their communities' specific contexts, needs, and priorities.
About the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity
The Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity is a five-year, US$49 million program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to facilitate economic recovery and growth in vulnerable, conflict-affected areas by promoting systemic change in market systems. The Activity is part of the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative. It is aimed at empowering vulnerable households, communities and systems to cope with current shocks and stresses, and to be prepared to withstand future ones.
The Activity is implemented by Mercy Corps, in partnership with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Save the Children (SCI), primarily in the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe. Through the COVID-19 Mitigation Response Program, the Activity's operational areas also include Benue, Kebbi, Niger, and Ebonyi states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory. Using market-led approaches, the Activity will move over 600,000 individuals out of chronic vulnerability and poverty.