CLARIS AGENMONMEN, a seasoned and dynamic administrator boasting over a decade of multifaceted experience across finance, agriculture, hospitality, and real estate sectors, currently holds the esteemed positions of co-founder and Deputy Managing Director at Raedial Holdings Limited.

Claris Agenmonmen is the Chief Operating Officer of Raedial Farms Limited, She offer a history of driving operational efficiency as well as profit. Focused on continuous improvement, she has led initiatives to reduce costs while overseeing facility renovations affecting hectares of undeveloped land space on the farm plantations. Her initiatives have shaped fast revenue growth and achieved global sales results.

 Interview Session

What inspired you to start your agricultural business, and what problem are you trying to solve?

We started this business for two key reasons: passion and opportunity. Agriculture, particularly palm oil production, is not only viable but essential for Nigeria’s self-sufficiency. There is a wonderful feeling in watching what you planted germinate into a product that sustains lives. Despite Nigeria’s favourable climate, we still import palm oil. Recognizing this gap, we decided to contribute to national food security and economic growth by producing high-quality, locally sourced palm oil. Since then, Raedial Farms Limited has created jobs and supplied nutritious palm oil that is good for health and well-being.

 What products or services do you offer, who is your target market, and how have you been able to reach them?

We produce Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Crude Palm Kernel Oil (CPKO), Palm Kernel Oil (PKO), Palm Kernel Cake (PKC), Palm Kernel Sludge, Crude Palm Oil Sludge, and Palm Kernel Shell (PKS). We have a large target beneficiary because palm oil is required in every household for personal, medical, and professional use. Currently, we are focused on the local market, but in the future, we look to expand internationally.

 Can you describe your product process? What is unique about it, and how do you ensure sustainability in the business?

The production of crude palm oil involves harvesting fresh fruit bunches, sterilizing the bunches, threshing, digesting, pressing, and clarification. The product is crude palm oil suitable for human consumption and industrial use. For palm kernel oil, the process involves cracking the palm nut, separating the kernel and shell, crushing the kernel, and filtration. One unique aspect of our palm oil production process is the very short time from harvesting the bunches to milling. Every bunch is milled within 24 hours of harvesting, ensuring that the free fatty acid level is very low, thereby producing high-quality palm oil.

 Can you describe your sourcing process for raw materials? Do you have preferred suppliers or partnerships that ensure consistency and quality in your inputs?

We have an oil palm plantation in Benin where we source the majority of our raw materials. We just embarked on a project to expand the farm area to 100,000 hectares, starting from 15,000 hectares. If we need to purchase from a third party, we source from preferred suppliers who guarantee quality inputs.

 How do you engage with your local community, and what role do you see your business playing in the regional food system?

We have a dedicated department for community relations that embarks on several CSR initiatives for both our immediate neighbourhood and extended communities. We strive to improve the lives of our stakeholders by deploying various social intervention projects such as road rehabilitation, scholarships, provision of potable water, and rehabilitation of schools and health centres. This is in addition to employing qualified individuals from the communities. Regarding the regional food system, we support the local market within our locality by subsidizing the prices of our products.

 How do you incorporate technology and innovation into your agribusiness?

With changing technology and rising market demand, we have employed automation in our processes, which is one of the unique aspects of our farm. We also use mechanical equipment for both planting and harvesting.

 What are some of the biggest challenges you face in the agricultural industry, and how do you overcome them?

We face challenges such as funding, insecurity, and poor rural infrastructure, including public power and accessible roads. We tackle these challenges through personal efforts, which result in high overhead costs with negative consequences on ROI. Other challenges include the unavailability of foreign exchange and lack of access to loans.

 What role do you see your business playing in addressing global issues (i.e., climate change, food security, sustainability)?

We are strong advocates of the government’s afforestation program and have a conservation area for this purpose. Palm trees themselves shield community residents from direct sunlight. We also minimize burning when disposing of plant branches and leaves to mitigate air pollution in our immediate environment. In terms of food security, we ensure that we supply our products at subsidized rates.

 Can you share any success stories or notable achievements in your business?

About a decade ago, we had less than 400 hectares of cultivated land, but now we have over 15,000 hectares, and this is just part of our 100,000 hectares expansion goal. We have also been fortunate to have international partners who share the same passion as we do.

 Are there any new projects or initiatives on the horizon for your business that you’re excited about?

We are working on a 100,000-hectare expansion, which we aim to develop within five years.

 Do you collaborate or partner with other farmers, businesses, suppliers, or organizations?

Certainly. In addition to the above, we also collaborate with the state government. We are currently developing an agro-programme for local farmers, providing them with resources, and we will off-take their produce at the end of the program. We also collaborate with refineries.

 What character traits do you possess that played a positive role in your achievements in agribusiness?

I would say determination and integrity.

 What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own agricultural business?

My advice is for the person to remain firm in their passion for agriculture because it is a long road to success. Therefore, you will need mentors who can guide you on what to expect, instead of learning the hard way.