Agribusiness: FG to Scale Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria

The Federal Government has it is scaling up youth agripreneurship in Nigeria for food systems transformation in the country.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated this on Tuesday at a youth agripreneurs workshop for food systems transformation in Nigeria in Abuja.

The workshop with the theme ‘Scaling Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation’ was organised by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise- Niger Delta (LIFE- ND) Project.

The minister said the youth are taking the lead in agrifood innovation, from precision agriculture to AI powered farm tools and soilless farming, among others.

“Our young people, fuelled by ingenuity and determination, are taking the lead in agrifood innovation, from precision agriculture to AI powered farm tools, soilless farming, financing and payment platforms, digital marketplaces and agro-processing.

“They are leading with innovation and a shared commitment to sustainable development and are ready to transform agrifood systems, create dignified livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth in our dear nation, Nigeria,” he said.

He said that in spite of these advances, youth participation remained inconsistent.

According to him, too many young people faced obstacles and challenges such as limited access to finance, land and processing facilities, markets among others.

“Today, we come together with one huge focus to change the narrative. This event marks a clear commitment to scale up youth agripreneurship across our country and region.

 “Our goals are concrete, to unlock land and productive resources for young farmers, while ensuring secure tenure and responsible stewardship of the land,” he said.

Kyari said President Bola Tinubu had repositioned agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation, anchoring it as a central pillar of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

He explained that the government had piloted youth-led agripreneurship models, expanded agro-processing and agribusiness incubation and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance.

The minister called on stakeholders to build ecosystems where collaboration eclipses competition and where every young agripreneur has a fair chance to contribute to our national prosperity.

“Youth must be actively and meaningfully involved in planning, implementation and governance of all programmes.

“We must ensure that women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups have equal access to opportunities and resources,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the event aligned with the Federal Government’s strategic goal of repositioning agriculture as a viable, wealth-creating and competitive sector.

He said the workshop symbolised a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to harness the energy, innovation and entrepreneurial drive of the youth to transform agriculture from subsistence into a thriving enterprise.

“This transformation is central to strengthening food security, expanding rural livelihoods and enabling inclusive national development,” he said.

In a goodwill message, the Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ms Dede Ekoue, reiterated IFAD’s commitment to scale up youth agripreneurship programmes in Nigeria.

Also, the Sahel Consulting Managing Partner, Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd, Mr Temi Adegoroye, said the role of the youth is to drive innovative changes for a transformed food systems in Nigeria.

In a presentation, the National Project Coordinator, LIFE- ND, Project, Dr Abiodun Sanni, said the project had trained and empowered over 29,620 youths and women as agripreneurs across priority value chains.

He said the value chains included cassava, rice, oil palm, aquaculture, poultry and horticulture.

Sanni said that the project also supported viable agribusiness ventures with access to start-up capital, production inputs, and agro-processing platforms, among others. (NAN)