News in brief:
-Â IITA has trained 1,918 young Nigerians in agribusiness skills through its Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) project, aiming to equip 10,000 youths with the knowledge to establish successful agribusinesses.
– The project covers various commodity value chains, provides crucial support to participants, establishes agribusiness hubs, and focuses on climate-smart technologies for long-term viability.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has successfully trained 1,918 young Nigerians in agribusiness skills through its Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) project, a press release says.
This initiative aims to eventually equip 10,000 youths aged 18-35 with the knowledge and resources needed to establish and grow successful agribusinesses, contributing to job creation, agricultural productivity, and food security in Nigeria.
Launched in 2023, the YAS project has already trained participants from four states: Oyo, Kano, Ogun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The training covers diverse commodity value chains like poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, and cassava processing, incorporating both classroom instruction and practical field demonstrations.
The project goes beyond providing knowledge by offering crucial support to beneficiaries, including, market access, investor linkages, financial support, input provision and coaching and mentoring.
The YAS project also establishes agribusiness hubs in participating states, serving as centers for continued learning and collaboration among trainees. For instance, a Kano aquaculture hub with 1,000 fish provides hands-on training and fosters knowledge sharing among participants.
Furthermore, the YAS project emphasizes the use of climate-smart technologies and sustainable business practices to ensure the long-term viability of beneficiaries’ agribusiness ventures. The ultimate goal is to empower young Nigerians to create profitable and scalable agricultural businesses that contribute to national economic growth and food security.
Additionally, beneficiaries have expressed their appreciation for the program, highlighting the valuable skills and knowledge they gained. Some participants described the training as an ‘eye-opener’ and a springboard for building their agribusiness dream.
With the success of the initial phase, IITA is now inviting applications for the next cohorts of trainees in 2024.
