Success Story of Olanrewaju, 2017 TEF Alumni in Agriculture Sector
Lack of storage facilities is one of the problems facing farmers and the distributors of agricultural produce. It is estimated that 40% of total food production in Nigeria is loss during and after harvest.
Olanrewaju Samuel Faleye took the initiative to contribute to solving the problem of the spice and confectionaries segment of agricultural products.
“I made the decision to become an entrepreneur to develop a solution that will reduce post-harvest loss, increase income of small holder farmers, increase access to quality foods at affordable prices and create employment.”
He started his production of sachet powdered pepper, earning an average of $100 monthly with only himself as the employee. From the support he got through the TEF program with seed capital, he currently has 30 direct staff and over 80 distributors for his product across several zones in Nigeria. He sells an average of 240,000 sachets of his product monthly with an average earning of $6000. He has improved the livelihood of more than 20 small-scale pepper farmers, providing empowerment interventions for women in his society.
“The Seed Capital, training and Mentoring has made all the difference in my life. I have also leveraged on TEF Platform for networking and to grow my business.”
Olarenwaju has participated in the 7th International Trade Fair for Agriculture in 2022, Participated in the Nourishing for Africa Entrepreneurship Program in 2021, Participated in Global Entrepreneurship Training supported by UNESCO in 2019, and also Participated in the International Breweries PLC kickstart Foundation Program in 2018.
In Summary
Through innovation, determination, and strategic support from various entrepreneurship initiatives, Olanrewaju Samuel Faleye has not only built a successful business but has also made significant strides in combating post-harvest losses and empowering local farmers. His story underscores the transformative impact of targeted interventions in addressing key challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
By focusing on solutions like sachet powdered pepper and leveraging entrepreneurial programs, Olanrewaju exemplifies how individuals can drive positive change in their communities while building sustainable businesses.
This African success story highlights the importance of addressing post-harvest loss issues and showcases a tangible example of entrepreneurial success in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
