Adaora Akojuru holds a degree in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. She is the founder and CEO of Beta Agric Ventures LTD, a company based in Kano, Nigeria, known for producing Bera Tomato Paste.
In an exclusive interview with Just4WomenAfrica, Adaora shared her journey from the media industry to agriculture. She recounted a pivotal moment during her time working for a media company when she was on a field report at a farm. It was during a period of surplus tomato production, but despite the abundance, farmers had no viable avenues to sell or export their tomatoes. As a result, hectares of tomatoes were left to rot in the fields. This wastage demoralized many farmers, leading some to decide that they would plant other crops in the next season instead of tomatoes.
The sight of rotting tomatoes deeply disturbed Adaora, prompting her to research the challenges surrounding the preservation of tomatoes in Nigeria. She discovered that the country severely lacks the processing capacities needed for proper storage and shelf-life extension of tomatoes. This realization inspired her to establish Beta Agric Ventures LTD, a company dedicated to buying tomatoes directly from farmers and processing them into tomato paste, thereby extending their shelf life.
Adaora noted that running a food processing company is highly capital-intensive. Acquiring the right equipment and ensuring compliance with international standards were significant challenges she faced when starting her business. In 2021, she secured a $5,000 grant, supplemented by personal funds from family and friends, to kickstart her venture. All profits from the business are reinvested to support its growth.
To preserve the quality of the tomatoes, Adaora purchases them in plastic crates instead of traditional baskets, which weigh about 25 kg each. This method prevents the tomatoes from being crushed during transport. On average, Beta Agric Ventures buys between 60 to 70 crates of tomatoes weekly for processing. A single 25 kg crate of tomatoes can produce 7 to 8 pieces of 950 ml jars of tomato paste. Annually, the company produces approximately 3,000 jars.
Adaora emphasized the need for increased support from the Nigerian government to boost the patronage of locally produced goods. She advocates for reduced taxes and other incentives to encourage the growth of local industries.
Bera Tomato Paste can be found in various markets across Abuja, Owerri, and Port Harcourt, and Adaora continues to push for more Nigerians to embrace locally produced products.