Following the recent partnership between IITA–CGIAR and the government of the Netherlands for the implementation of the YAS Project with IITA Youth Agripreneurs, Dutch Ambassador Wouter Plomp visited the Institute on 2-4 October. The Youth in Agribusiness: Enabling Scaling of Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Food (YAS) Project was launched earlier this year to enhance economic growth, job creation, and sustainable food systems and nutrition security in Nigeria.
Plomp was particularly interested in exploring the forest’s capacity to contribute to climate resilience through the YAS Project. He toured the IITA Forest led by Ademola Ajayi, IITA Forest Center Field Supervisor, with the IITA Youth Agripreneurs. The team enjoyed the forest adventure, relishing the beauty of nature and learning about nature’s contribution to sustainable food, water, medicine, and climate security.
Plomp thanked the Centre forestier de l'IITA team for facilitating an unforgettable tour and inspiring a deeper appreciation of nature in him. He applauded the important role IITA plays in transforming African agriculture, which is necessary for the future.
“We want to help as much as we can, and we intend to involve young minds interested in this innovation and transformation as much as possible,” Plomp said. He suggested that interactions with the Federal Government of Nigeria be channeled towards consolidating existing policies into a functional policy to facilitate the proposed agenda.
The meeting ended with the intent to discuss further during the launch of the Youth in Agribusiness Partnership in Abuja on 20 October. Plomp expressed delight at the agricultural and technological innovations in the works through the YAS Project, aimed at enhancing food security and environmental conservation in Nigeria. In this shared commitment between the Netherlands government and IITA Youth Agripreneurs to scale up innovative technologies for sustainable development of food, trade, and economic growth, Nigerian youths could expect support and enabling capacities to bloom in agribusiness.
Related story: https://youthagripreneurs.org/iita-collaborates-with-the-netherlands-government/ Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Tolulope AkinolaContribué par
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