The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) says it has trained 1,918 youths in different parts of the country through its Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) project.
According to the institute, the training was part of concerted efforts to expose youths to diverse opportunities in agriculture, reduce unemployment, and bolster agricultural productivity in Nigeria to grow wealth and combat poverty.
With support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the YAS project organised training sessions for beneficiaries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oyo, Kano, and Ogun states in 2023, with the participants meticulously selected based on the criteria set for the project.
The IITA in a statement on Wednesday said the beneficiaries, comprising 543 new entrants to agriculture and 1,375 established business owners eager to enhance their knowledge and productivity, underwent comprehensive training in the value chains of different commodities, including poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, and cassava processing.
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The training was aimed at getting the participants to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills to establish successful enterprises or expand their existing businesses.
“In 2023, the project’s inaugural year, the beneficiaries included 463 youths from Ogun State, 473 from the FCT, 476 from Oyo State, and 506 from Kano State. The training covered the production, processing, marketing, and logistics components of the value chains of various commodities. Classroom teaching and field demonstrations were employed to provide a holistic learning experience.
“Additionally, beneficiaries were given the needed support, including access to markets, investors, finance, inputs, as well as coaching and mentoring. They were also reminded about the need to be part of a cooperative and educated on how to access finance by YAS implementing partner, Bopinc, a Dutch NGO.
“Also, in the select states, agribusiness hubs have been established for the benefit of trainees. For example, in Kano State, the project established an aquaculture hub with 1,000 jumbo-sized fish, used for the training and currently being used for continued learning by trainees,” the statement read in part.
It further noted that the project’s goal is to, among other things, train 10,000 youths between the ages of 18 and 35 in viable, sustainable agribusiness enterprises using innovative climate-smart technologies and business practices that increase income and productivity.
“The project also aims to encourage the beneficiaries to set up full-scale production and service facilities.
Well aware of the potential of agriculture to generate employment and boost food security, the YAS project identifies youths as key drivers of this potential in Nigeria. The project is firmly committed to delivering on this mandate.
“The beneficiaries in the various tracks applauded the free training, which they described as an eye-opener and a much-needed boost to their business and entrepreneurship aspirations,” it added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr David Ekene, said he was excited by the training opportunity, noting that he had always loved all segments of agriculture and was privileged to be part of the training.
“This has been my old time dream,” he noted, as he boasted that with what he learnt, he was prepared to build a business empire while ensuring that other people benefited from the knowledge he acquired.
Ekene stated, “I find myself privileged to be part of this great move and training. In Africa, we have the land and what it takes, but the technical knowledge on how to go about it is what YAS has brought to us. With this training, I will have an opportunity to create a business empire, not just a little business. The YAS experience is amazing, exciting, and mind-blowing.”
Also, a master’s student in Oyo State, Ms Sanusi Rebecca Titilayo, described her training experience as excellent.
She added, “I learnt aquaculture and value addition, and I have been able to learn how to set up my pond, stock the pond, feed the fish, including the business aspect of it. I don’t want to waste this knowledge; I intend to start up my pond very soon and I will progress from there. The YAS training was wonderful.”
The institute said the project would support the beneficiaries who would contribute to enhancing agricultural productivity, climate resilience, access to services, as well as food and nutrition in Nigeria.
“As we prepare to commence the selection process for the next cohorts of trainees in each quarter of 2024, we extend an open invitation to young people aged 18 to 35, farmers, entrepreneurs, and those passionate about innovative, modern, and profitable farming to seize this opportunity.
“Our firm belief in the ability of educated and supported youths to steer the needed transformation in the agricultural sector as well as engender economic growth, technological advancement, and sustainable agriculture is at the core of this project. We envision the YAS project inspiring a new generation of young agripreneurs while fostering a thriving community of young farmers with a shared vision of sustainable success,” it said.
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