News in brief:
– Soilless Farm Lab’s EYiA program is set to expand to the Democratic Republic of the Congo following discussions with President Félix Tshisekedi.
– This partnership aims to enhance livelihoods and food security, particularly for youth and women, beyond Nigeria’s borders.
A replica of the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture (EYiA) project could be in development for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). According to news from the program’s creator, Samson Ogbole, he recently met with President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss the initiative.
On the invite of the presidency of DR Congo, a move to replicate EYiA.
It was an honour to be introduced to the President of DR Congo, Mr. Felix Tshisekedi by my baba – Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-President of Nigeria and mentor, Special Envoy to the President of DR Congo, Mr.… pic.twitter.com/6yJn7elav8
— Farmer Samson Ogbole (@Samsonprolific) November 18, 2024
Soilless Farm Lab has been running the EYiA training program in Nigeria since 2022, completing six cohorts (or sessions) so far. Participants benefit from three months of training followed by nine months of mentorship in greenhouse farming, hydroponics, and integrated pest management.
In Nigeria, the program has covered 72 acres of farmland, established 120 farms, and trained 6,000 graduate youth farmers. The initiative has empowered 13,265 youths with hydroponics skills and created 14,534 jobs in the agriculture sector.
Private and public sector partnership
Soilless Farm Lab collaborates with the Mastercard Foundation to deliver fully sponsored training programs and provide students with free farm setup kits. Additionally, producers are linked to off-takers who purchase their produce initially, helping them establish reliable markets.
Public-sector collaboration is also crucial for the project. For instance, state governments provide the land used for training.
The upcoming partnership with the DR Congo government presents an opportunity to extend the mission beyond Nigeria. With a strong focus on empowering youth, particularly women, the initiative aims to improve livelihoods and food security for a significant portion of DR Congo’s population.
