In the face of rising food prices and a fast-growing population, Nigerian entrepreneur Naomi Nwaokocha is leading a quiet revolution in agriculture—transforming farming into a model of efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
As Director of Corporate Operations at Supreme Meat Ventures Ltd and CEO of Poder Farms Ltd, Naomi oversees enterprises that integrate innovation across pig farming and palm oil production. Her approach reduces costs, cuts waste, enhances quality, and drives higher productivity. These efforts have not only generated billions in sales but also attracted funding to expand her operations.
“Agriculture is not just planting and harvesting—it’s about systems, technology, and creating solutions that make farming sustainable,” Naomi explained in an interview with Reuters.
Her entrepreneurial instincts were honed early, long before she ventured into agriculture. Years of experimenting with business ideas and managing ventures sharpened her skills in finance and operations, positioning her as one of Nigeria’s new-generation leaders reshaping agribusiness.
Tackling Nigeria’s Structural Farming Challenges
Agriculture employs more than 35% of Nigeria’s workforce, yet farmers grapple with high feed costs, poor yields, and post-harvest losses. Although food inflation stood at 22.74% in July 2025—a decline from 39.53% a year earlier—the drop came mainly from statistical adjustments rather than a real fall in staple food prices.
Naomi’s ventures are addressing these gaps through integrated farming systems. At Supreme Meat Ventures, cassava and maize are grown and processed into affordable animal feed, reducing dependence on external suppliers. At Poder Farms, palm kernel by-products are converted into livestock feed instead of going to waste. Both firms prioritize quality, producing healthy livestock and premium-grade palm oil that meet international standards.
“Agriculture is a chain,” Naomi noted. “When done right, nothing should be wasted.”
Technology as a Game-Changer
Her companies also leverage technology to optimize operations—deploying in-house applications that track farm performance, improve biosecurity, and manage risks. Naomi believes technology is more than tools: it’s the system that allows farmers to cut costs, boost resilience, and scale sustainably.
Shaping the Future of African Agriculture
Industry experts argue that Naomi’s models could transform farming across Africa. According to agribusiness consultant Dr. Titi Ojo, her methods prove that African agriculture can be modern, globally competitive, and a solution to food insecurity if widely adopted.
But for Naomi, her mission goes beyond profits. She is passionate about changing perceptions of agriculture, especially among young people and women.
“Farming is not outdated,” she said. “It’s innovation, finance, logistics, and even global trade. The sooner young people see agriculture as opportunity, the faster we solve Africa’s food insecurity.”
