For Immediate Release

Press Release

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Government (USG), through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced a new partnership with a private sector firm, Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO) Ltd, operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as part of the USAID Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity. This is included in a suite of partnerships that are focused on increasing and improving links between private firms and smallholder farmers to facilitate a more competitive agricultural sector in the DRC.

Through this partnership, USAID anticipates that the domestic production and availability of maize flour will increase significantly, thanks to increased linkages between processing companies and farmers based in Ituri province. Overall, USAID expects that this will result in reduced imports, stronger local supply chain coordination, and increased food security for the Congolese people.

This partnership will expand NASECO’s business offerings in Ituri Province via Agric de Semence D’Ituri (AGSEMI), a local partner which concentrates on the production and sale of maize flour and maize bran and the provision of agricultural advisory services to smallholder farmers pertaining to their supply chain. Through the market expansion into maize, AGSEMI will promote the consumption of local maize flour instead of maize flour that has been imported, while also improving coordination within the supply chain and providing technical assistance to farmers. AGSEMI will also function as a reliable buyer for smallholder farmers who are often limited due to local processing capacity, thereby stimulating local economic growth in Ituri province.

About USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID works to help lift lives, build communities, and advance democracy. USAID's work demonstrates American generosity and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961 to lead the U.S. government’s international development and humanitarian efforts.

About the USAID Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity

The partnership between USAID and Welldone Logistics is implemented through the Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity, as part of USAID’s Market Access Partnership Facility. The USAID MSP Facility works with private sector partners to pilot innovative solutions that can help businesses overcome bottlenecks currently inhibiting agricultural-led growth, and to strengthen the supply chain for products that need sourcing. It increases the number and quality of business connections between micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, producers, and agribusinesses such as traders, aggregators, transporters, and sellers. The purpose is to reduce poverty and strengthen the DRC's economic competitiveness and inclusiveness.

About Nalweyo Seed Company (NASECO) Ltd

NASECO, an inputs supplier based in Uganda, has worked in producing and commercializing improved seeds in East Africa for more than 25 years. Within the region, NASECO is a well-known and trusted seed company that uses proven alternative marketing and distribution approaches, such as providing hands-on farmer training on quality inputs, bringing improved seeds closer to rural and often isolated smallholder farmers.

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