Nigeria’s population is expanding rapidly. In fact, Lagos, is projected to become the world’s biggest city by the end of this century. But how do we locally and sustainably feed one of the fastest-growing populations on Earth, especially under the pressure of climate change?
This is exactly the challenge we will address over the next 3.5 years through our Horticulture Innovation Center Impact Cluster Program.
In close collaboration with local partners Landmark University and Covenant University and supported by a strong Dutch consortium, including Netafim (greenhouse technology), leading seed companies such as Rijk Zwaan, Enza Zaden, and East-West Seed, certification expert Control Union, and agronomic and training specialists Delphy. Together we are building a future-focused agricultural hub.
At the Covenant University campus in Ogun State, we will establish a state-of-the-art horticultural facility consisting of 0.25 hectares of greenhouse production alongside 1 hectare of open-field cultivation. This site will serve as a dynamic, hands-on demonstration centre for the southwestern region of Nigeria.
Our ambition is to make this more than just a production site. It will be a proactive innovation and learning platform where Delphy and its partners will:
- Demonstrate the potential of modern greenhouse farming systems
- Showcase high-performing, climate-resilient vegetable varieties
- Train farmers, entrepreneurs, and students in sustainable agricultural practices
- Promote efficient use of scarce resources such as water and fertilizers
- Reduce dependency on chemical crop protection through smart, integrated approaches
Ultimately, this initiative aims to strengthen local food systems by building capacity and improving farm performance at scale. The program targets the training of at least 1,000 vegetable farmers, with the goal of increasing annual yields by 25% while reducing input costs by 25% through the adoption of improved practices and technologies. This will be achieved through a combination of 30 workshops and field days, alongside 48 blended and practical training sessions covering greenhouse and open-field management, pest and disease control, and resource efficiency. In addition, five accredited short and long courses (ranging from 1–5 days to 2–5 weeks) will be developed and delivered via Landmark University. To further strengthen the agricultural ecosystem, 200 internships will be facilitated to connect students and young professionals with agribusinesses, while six demonstration cycles will showcase Dutch technologies and improved crop varieties in practice.
This project is made possible through the Impact Cluster programme of the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland (RVO), the Dutch Enterprise Agency. The programme is designed to stimulate international collaboration by supporting Dutch businesses and knowledge institutions in delivering integrated, innovative solutions to global challenges, combining expertise, technology, and capacity building into impactful, long-term developments.
These experts are happy to talk to you
Call us at +31 (0)317 491 578 or send an email to info@delphy.nl
