News in brief:
– The Mastercard Foundation and Songhai are offering fully sponsored scholarships to train 3,000 young Nigerians, focusing on integrated agriculture and modern farm roles.
– Participants will receive free training, accommodation, and resources, with a commitment to starting or scaling agro ventures after the program.
The Mastercard Foundation and Songhai have announced a fully sponsored scholarship for young Nigerians to study integrated agriculture.
A Facebook post on the programme revealed that participants will receive training in Crop Production, Animal Husbandry, Aquaculture, and Food Processing.
The scholarship will train 3,000 young Nigerians (comprising 70% of young women) within the next three years to fill modern farm roles such as managers, technicians, and agro-entrepreneurs.
Requirements include:
- Age: 18 to 35
- Ability to travel to Ebonyi or Owerri
- Own an agricultural venture or be passionate to begin one.
- Possess a support structure to enable successful implementation after the training and certification.
- Commitment to starting or scaling agro venture after the training.
Benefits of the sponsorship and training will include:
- Free Feeding
- Free Accommodation
- Free Tuition
- Free Training Materials
- Free Business Growth Kit Other Benefits
- Market Linkages and Access
- Mentorship Pool to Select from
- Data Sharing on production and market trends.
The training is expected to last for three months and interested applicants should visit this link to signify interest.
Songhai is an organisation that aims to support the emergence of a ‘new African society’ by developing a sustainable socio-economic entrepreneurship policy, the ability to develop local resources (natural and human), and the ability to play a significant role in the global economy.
It has organised several management trainings in agribusiness management, crop and animal production, as well as processing. The organisation also sends extension officers and experts to monitor and evaluate projects being undertaken by beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Mastercard Foundation is a charitable organisation that works with other organisations to provide access to work and means of improving livelihoods for young people in Africa and Canada’s indigenous communities. It facilitates collaboration between the private sector, donors and civil society.
