What is the name of your organization?
Gbendan Company Limited
What is the name of your solution?
Gbendan Indigenous Foods
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Transforming local agriculture through sustainable processing, packaging, and distribution of Indigenous Ofada rice, plantain flour, and Garri Ijebu.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Ogijo 121101, Ogun State, Nigeria
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
NGA
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Nigeria faces a significant food security challenge, with rising population growth, post-harvest losses, and inadequate agro-processing infrastructure limiting access to nutritious, locally produced food. Smallholder farmers, who produce over 80% of Nigeria’s food, struggle with inefficient processing methods, leading to wastage, low profitability, and reduced market access. In Ogun State and across Nigeria, staple foods like Ofada rice, plantain flour, and Garri Ijebu are in high demand, yet their production remains inefficient due to poor processing techniques, lack of modern packaging, and weak value chain integration.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria loses up to 40% of its agricultural produce due to post-harvest inefficiencies. This contributes to food shortages, increased prices, and economic hardship, particularly for smallholder farmers and consumers. Additionally, the importation of foreign rice and processed foods undermines local industries, reducing job opportunities in the agro-processing sector.
Gbendan Company addresses these challenges by providing efficient agro-processing and packaging solutions, reducing food wastage, improving product quality, and creating sustainable markets for local farmers. By strengthening local food systems, we aim to enhance food security, create jobs, and boost Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
What is your solution?
Gbendan Company Limited provides innovative agro-processing and packaging solutions to enhance the production of Indigenous Ofada rice, plantain flour, and Garri Ijebu. Our solution focuses on modernizing food processing techniques, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving food quality through efficient packaging and distribution.
We source raw materials directly from smallholder farmers, ensuring fair pricing and a steady supply chain. Our facility utilizes semi-automated processing technology to de-hull, mill, dry, and package these staple foods, extending their shelf life while preserving their natural taste and nutritional value. By implementing hygienic packaging solutions, we improve food safety and meet regulatory standards, making locally processed foods more competitive in domestic and international markets.
Additionally, we integrate digital tools for supply chain management, allowing for efficient inventory tracking, demand forecasting, and farmer coordination. This ensures a steady flow of raw materials and minimizes waste.
Through our solution, we create jobs, empower local farmers, and strengthen Nigeria’s food security. By bridging the gap between farm and market, Gbendan is transforming agro-processing into a sustainable, scalable industry that benefits both producers and consumers.
https://gbendancompany.com.ng/shop-page/
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Gbendan Company Limited serves smallholder farmers, local food vendors, and consumers in Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State and surrounding regions. These groups face significant challenges, including post-harvest losses, low-income earnings, and limited access to high-quality, locally processed foods.
1. Smallholder Farmers: Over 80% of Nigeria’s farmers operate on a small scale and struggle with market access, post-harvest losses, and unfair pricing. By purchasing raw materials directly from them at fair prices, we increase their income and provide a reliable market for their produce.
2. Local Food Vendors and Retailers: Many vendors lack access to well-packaged, high-quality staple foods. Our hygienically processed and conveniently packaged Ofada rice, plantain flour, and Garri Ijebu enable them to sell better products, attract more customers, and increase their earnings.
3. Consumers: Many Nigerian households face food insecurity due to rising prices and the prevalence of low-quality imported food. Our solution provides affordable, nutritious, and locally processed staple foods, improving food security and health outcomes.
By strengthening the local food value chain, Gbendan creates jobs, reduces food waste, enhances economic opportunities, and promotes food security, making a lasting impact on Nigeria’s agricultural economy.