Caritas Nigeria Empowers 400 Farmers in Lagos and Ekiti with Multi-Million Naira Agro-Processing Equipment
By: Manoah Kikekon
In a major boost to food security and rural livelihoods, Caritas Nigeria, the development agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, has distributed state-of-the-art agricultural processing equipment worth millions of naira to farmers in Badagry.
The empowerment program, held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Bapo in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), is part of a larger initiative benefiting 400 participants across Lagos and Ekiti States. Supported by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, the project marks a strategic shift from general vocational skills to specialized agricultural value-chain development.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Ukese Maria Udongo, the Director of Humanitarian Services for Caritas Nigeria, explained that the focus on agriculture is designed to provide sustainable pathways out of poverty for rural dwellers.
"In previous years, we gave out vocational start-up kits, but there has been a shift this year because the donor wishes that people build their capability in agriculture," Udongo said. "This will help people in the grassroots and rural communities lift themselves out of poverty."
The empowerment package was tailored to specific agricultural sectors to ensure beneficiaries have everything needed to move from farming to industrial processing:
Cassava Processing: Groups received 45 bags of cassava, grinding machines, hydraulic pressing machines, industrial frying pans, and sealing machines for garri packaging.
Fish Farming & Processing: Beneficiaries were provided with 250 fingerlings, dual tanks, pumping machines, and a full range of feed (starter to finisher). For those in processing, 50kg of fresh fish, industrial ovens, and energy-efficient briquettes were supplied.
Tomato & Pepper Preservation: Groups received equipment to produce tomato puree and dried peppers, including energy-saving stoves, grinding machines, and specialized packaging materials like zip-lock bags and glass bottles.
"Because of how expensive these equipments are, we put the beneficiaries in groups. This makes it sustainable where one person forgets what they’ve been taught, the others will remember," Udongo added.
Reverend Father Peter Audu, Executive Secretary and CEO of Caritas Nigeria, highlighted the human impact of the intervention, noting that the agency’s agriculture and livelihood team would continue to monitor the groups to ensure success.
"The measurable impacts go beyond what we can say. We have seen people are happy; it has restored their dignity and their hope," Fr. Audu remarked. "Some, as a result of our activities, have been able to send their kids to school and feed themselves."
For the residents of Bapo and surrounding communities, the arrival of the equipment was a dream realized.
Alice Abel, a beneficiary in the tomato and pepper processing group, expressed her gratitude: "I really appreciate Caritas for bringing this program to this community. I am the happiest person here; God will bless them."
Similarly, Ebeniza Abiona, a member of the maize processing group, admitted his initial skepticism: "This program is so fantastic. When they came to Bapo, we thought they were coming to deceive us, but unfortunately for our doubts, it is a reality."
By: Manoah Kikekon
In a major boost to food security and rural livelihoods, Caritas Nigeria, the development agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, has distributed state-of-the-art agricultural processing equipment worth millions of naira to farmers in Badagry.
The empowerment program, held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Bapo in the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), is part of a larger initiative benefiting 400 participants across Lagos and Ekiti States. Supported by the Conrad Hilton Foundation, the project marks a strategic shift from general vocational skills to specialized agricultural value-chain development.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Ukese Maria Udongo, the Director of Humanitarian Services for Caritas Nigeria, explained that the focus on agriculture is designed to provide sustainable pathways out of poverty for rural dwellers.
"In previous years, we gave out vocational start-up kits, but there has been a shift this year because the donor wishes that people build their capability in agriculture," Udongo said. "This will help people in the grassroots and rural communities lift themselves out of poverty."
The empowerment package was tailored to specific agricultural sectors to ensure beneficiaries have everything needed to move from farming to industrial processing:
Cassava Processing: Groups received 45 bags of cassava, grinding machines, hydraulic pressing machines, industrial frying pans, and sealing machines for garri packaging.
Fish Farming & Processing: Beneficiaries were provided with 250 fingerlings, dual tanks, pumping machines, and a full range of feed (starter to finisher). For those in processing, 50kg of fresh fish, industrial ovens, and energy-efficient briquettes were supplied.
Tomato & Pepper Preservation: Groups received equipment to produce tomato puree and dried peppers, including energy-saving stoves, grinding machines, and specialized packaging materials like zip-lock bags and glass bottles.
"Because of how expensive these equipments are, we put the beneficiaries in groups. This makes it sustainable where one person forgets what they’ve been taught, the others will remember," Udongo added.
Reverend Father Peter Audu, Executive Secretary and CEO of Caritas Nigeria, highlighted the human impact of the intervention, noting that the agency’s agriculture and livelihood team would continue to monitor the groups to ensure success.
"The measurable impacts go beyond what we can say. We have seen people are happy; it has restored their dignity and their hope," Fr. Audu remarked. "Some, as a result of our activities, have been able to send their kids to school and feed themselves."
For the residents of Bapo and surrounding communities, the arrival of the equipment was a dream realized.
Alice Abel, a beneficiary in the tomato and pepper processing group, expressed her gratitude: "I really appreciate Caritas for bringing this program to this community. I am the happiest person here; God will bless them."
Similarly, Ebeniza Abiona, a member of the maize processing group, admitted his initial skepticism: "This program is so fantastic. When they came to Bapo, we thought they were coming to deceive us, but unfortunately for our doubts, it is a reality."