Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples (SNIPs)
Project background
The Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples (SNIPs) is a 6 months project to enhance food processing, packaging, product formulation, and reformulation capabilities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in Nigeria's biofortified crop value chains across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Oyo States.
Malnutrition remains a critical issue in Nigeria, and biofortified crops such as Vitamin A Cassava, Vitamin A Maize, and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) have the potential to mitigate this challenge. The project seeks to improve MSMEs’ capacity to process and market safe, nutritious food products derived from these crops, ensuring greater market penetration and consumer acceptance.
Objectives:
1. Train women and youth-led MSMEs on safe and nutritious food processing techniques, cooling, drying, and other innovative processes.
2. Conduct practical demonstrations for food product development and reformulation using biofortified crops.
3. Provide specialized coaching and mentoring to businesses in targeted states.
4. Facilitate industry learning visits and exposure to best practices.
5. Implement business-to-business (B2B) market linkage activities to connect MSMEs with investors and financial institutions.
What we did
Ikore conducted a needs assessment for over 200 MSMEs and developed a proximate processing toolkit featuring over 40 recipes tailored to their needs. As part of its training and capacity-building efforts, Ikore trained 140 MSMEs across four states, resulting in a 26% knowledge increase post-training.
To further support MSMEs, Ikore delivered a one-month coaching program for over 100 businesses, covering topics such as business formalization, hygiene practices, branding and packaging, access to finance, pitching and business plan development, and supply chain management. Additionally, Ikore facilitated the business registration of 25 MSMEs with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and assisted 10 SMEs with NAFDAC registration, a process that is still ongoing. Moreover, 64% of trained MSMEs have applied for GAIN micro-grants, with Ikore continuing to share opportunities and support applications.
In the area of industry visits and market linkages, Ikore facilitated the supply of vitamin A cassava stems to 10 farmers and MSMEs, linked two MSMEs with off-takers for their products, and organized an Industry Learning Visit for 22 MSMEs, providing practical exposure to industry best practices. Additionally, a Market Linkage Deal Day was conducted across project states, connecting 24 MSMEs with farmers, aggregators, retailers, and financial institutions.
As part of its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, Ikore coordinated the IKORE Food Product Pitching and Competition, where MSMEs showcased their products. One participant notably generated over ₦250,000 in sales for their winning product.
Impact
129 MSMEs were trained across four states, and 40 new recipes were formulated using biofortified crops. Additionally, 25 MSMEs successfully formalized their businesses through CAC registration, while 64% received support in grant applications, with nine already selected for awards such as the GAIN Micro-grant and the GIZ MSMEs Grant. The supply of vitamin A cassava stems was facilitated for 10 MSMEs, and over ₦250,000 in sales was generated during the IKORE Food Product Pitching and Competition.
Beyond these numbers, MSMEs now have improved access to financing and market opportunities through enhanced business formalization. Strengthened capacity for hygiene practices and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has ensured safer food products. Market access has also improved through strategic linkages with aggregators, off-takers, and financial institutions. Most importantly, women and youth-led MSMEs have gained confidence and sharpened their business acumen, positioning them for long-term success.