The recently launched Youth in Agribusiness: Enabling Scaling of Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Food Solutions (YAS) project, implemented in partnership with the Government of The Netherlands, concluded its activities for 2023 with the training of 1,918 youths between 18 and 35 years old. The project has set a target to train 5,000 youths in the new year.

The training, categorized under Incubation and Acceleration tracks, focused on different value chains and took place in the project’s four locations in Nigeria—Kano, Ogun, and Oyo states, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The beneficiaries were identified based on the project’s selection criteria, with value chains including horticulture, poultry, aquaculture, and cassava processing.

The training aligned with YAS’s mandate to deepen youth involvement in agriculture and create viable agribusiness enterprises using innovative, climate-smart technologies. The project employed a tailored and localized approach to maximize the impact in each community while ensuring persuasive and result-driven engagements with the beneficiaries during and after the training.

Training partners comprised the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Green Development and Agro-Allied Services Limited, Farm Help Agro Stores, Aberten Farms and Consults, Ogun State Fisheries and Aquaculture Farmers Association, BIC, Golden Fingers Farms and Ranches (GFFR), and Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC). YAS’s implementing partner, Bopinc, facilitated the business training and mentorship, teaching the beneficiaries the advantages of being in cooperatives and how to access finance.

In Oyo State, 476 persons were trained in aquaculture, cassava processing, horticulture, and poultry value chains during the period under review. The project identified training hubs and selected persons from Akinyele, Ido, Afijio, Lagelu, Ibadan North, and Ibadan South Local Government Areas (LGAs).

For the Incubator track, 87 persons were trained, comprising 43 (49%) for aquaculture and 44 (51%) for poultry. About 52% of the participants were male, while 48% were female. On the other hand, there were 389 accelerators, with 150 persons (39%) trained in cassava processing, 169 (43%) trained in horticulture, and 70 (18%) in poultry. Overall, 51% of the participants were male and 49% female.

They were also gifted free sample seeds from Technisem Digital, a farm record template, etc.

In Ogun State, the training was held in three LGAs—Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, and Ijebu Ode. About 463 youths, comprising 276 males and 187 females, were trained in the three commodities: aquaculture, horticulture, and cassava.

For the Incubation track, 110 youths, comprising 60 males and 50 females, participated and have begun exploring means of starting their respective enterprises. Under the Acceleration track, 353 business owners—216 males and 137 females—were trained to enhance their businesses in the three commodities.

Strategic collaborations were also forged with HortiNigeria and other partners, leading to a robust and impactful experience for the participants. The training module included market linkages, product certification, climate-smart farming, etc.

In Abuja, the survey outcome resulted in more demand-driven training on aquaculture, horticulture, and poultry. The training included 473 youth participants, with poultry recording 205 participants, followed by aquaculture (189) and horticulture (79). Furthermore, 244 persons, representing 52%, were for the incubation track, while 229 persons, representing 48%, were for the acceleration track.

The training module focused on technology-driven practices and digital marketing. However, there are plans to explore other value chains in this second year.

In Kano State, 506 participants were selected from 952 applicants. About 404 were selected for the Accelerators and 102 for the Incubators track. They were trained in the opportunities that abound in the value chain of the various commodities, including production, processing, marketing, and logistics. They were also equipped with the skills to start or upscale their business.

An agribusiness hub was established for aquaculture to train people and boost their practical experience. The 1,000-capacity trampoline pond facility acquired through a partnership with another youth project, provided by I-Youth, was stocked with 1,000 Super Jumbo-size catfish.

Thirteen youths are already matched to the Agribusiness hub to learn and monitor the fish.

The participants in the different tracks applauded the training, describing it as a necessary boost to their business and entrepreneurship aspirations. One of the beneficiaries in the FCT, David Ekene, described the training as a real eye-opener. He boasted that with what he learned, he was prepared to build a business empire while ensuring that other people benefitted from his newly acquired knowledge.

“I find myself privileged to be part of this great move and training,” he stated. “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 can create a business empire, not just a little business. The YAS experience is amazing, exciting, and mind-blowing.”

Similarly, Rebecca Titilayo Sanusi, a master’s student at Oyo State, described her training experience as excellent. She added, “I learned aquaculture and value addition, and I have learned 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 my pond very soon and progress from there. The YAS training was wonderful.”

For 2024, no fewer than 5,000 persons will be trained in the select commodities across the listed locations. This figure comprises 1,000 Accelerators and 250 Incubators in each location.

Contributed by Jesutofunmi Sharon Robinson