By Salifatu Guruza & Evelyn Emmanuel
The Plateau State Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) recently hosted the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Nigeria Foods Limited, Mr. Anezi Onwzurike, on a visit aimed at exploring opportunities for the development of alfalfa in Nigeria.
During the visit, Mr. Onwzurike described alfalfa as the “Queen of Forages” and emphasized its value beyond animal feed. He explained that the crop can be processed into pellets, hay, or silage for livestock, thereby strengthening the dairy, beef, and poultry value chains while also helping to reduce farmers herders clashes through the provision of alternative feed sources. He further noted its potential application in the spice industry as a natural filler or binder, as well as in wellness products due to its nutrient rich profile.
Swiss Nigeria Foods, he explained, is committed to agricultural innovation and supports over 1,500 smallholder farmers with training, inputs, and off-take agreements, while also working across the vegetable, dairy, and poultry value chains. Through crops such as parsley, celery, and leek, processed into raw materials for spice production.
Mr. Onwzurike also made it known that the company has already empowered more than 5,000 families in Plateau State. He added that the next focus is on alfalfa, with the aim of providing Nigeria with a sustainable, homegrown alternative to imported forage, while creating new opportunities across agro-industrial sectors. Our next frontier is alfalfa,” Mr. Onwzurike declared.
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The Plateau State Coordinator of RMRDC, Mrs. Salifatu Guruza, in her remarks, offered insightful guidance on boosting operational efficiency and competitiveness. She advised on the need to streamline processes, strengthen supply chain systems, and adopt modern technologies for alfalfa processing.
“Swiss Nigeria Foods’ initiative on 30% value addition is commendable,” she noted. “But beyond that, robust quality control and the integration of cutting-edge technology will ensure the company sets a benchmark for others in the sector.” she emphasized.
The visit concluded with optimism, as both Swiss Nigeria Foods and RMRDC agreed that alfalfa holds immense promise for Nigeria, not only as feed, but also as a catalyst for food security, rural empowerment, and peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders. With the global demand for high protein feeds on the rise, Nigeria’s embrace of alfalfa could mark a turning point, ushering in a new era where innovation, sustainability, and collaboration define the nation’s agricultural future.
