{"id":17909,"date":"2026-06-20T13:00:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/empowering-olokemeji-youths-and-lapo-beneficiaries-through-vegetable-farming-training\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:56:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:56:06","slug":"empowering-olokemeji-youths-and-lapo-beneficiaries-through-vegetable-farming-training","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/empowering-olokemeji-youths-and-lapo-beneficiaries-through-vegetable-farming-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Olokemeji youths and LAPO beneficiaries through vegetable farming training"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Taiwo
Taiwo Bankole, IITA Forest Center Field Staff, tutoring the participants on the field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nOn 14 November, the <\/span>Centre forestier de l'IITA<\/span><\/a> conducted hands-on training on Vegetable Propagation and Management for youths from Olokemeji community and beneficiaries of the LAPO Microfinance Bank youth empowerment program. The training aimed to strengthen the economic capacity of participants, particularly women and youths, by equipping them with skills to optimize vegetable farming for both to improve their livelihood and make profit.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\nThe training commenced with an engaging indoor session facilitated by IITA Forest Center Field Supervisor <\/span>Olukunle Olasupo<\/span><\/a>, , and Lolami Bernard, an intern at the Center. The session emphasized the economic and health benefits of cultivating indigenous vegetables and fruits. Participants explored strategies to optimize crop yield, sustain thriving businesses, and produce visually appealing and nutritious vegetables.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\nKey topics included nursery establishment, pest and disease management, and adopting good farming practices.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\n
\"Olokemeji
Olokemeji youth beneficiaries with their start-up kits to begin lucrative vegetable farming.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nParticipants moved to the Forest Nursery for field learning after the theoretical session. Under the guidance of Olasupo and IITA field staff Joshua Babatunde and Taiwo Bankole, participants practiced growing various local vegetables and learned about their specific adaptive habitats. They were shown how some crops thrive in shaded areas while others flourish under direct sunlight. The session also highlighted propagation techniques\u2014such as using seeds or stem cuttings\u2014and proper harvesting methods to maximize yield and quality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\nTo kickstart their farming ventures, each participant received a starter kit comprising first-generation seeds for vegetables like cucumber, spinach, and tomatoes and essential tools such as topsoil, watering cans, hoes, and cutlasses. These resources were sponsored by the Nigerian Breweries Plc Reforestation Project at Olokemeji and LAPO Microfinance Bank in partnership with the IITA Forest Center.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\n
\"LAPO
LAPO Microfinance Bank youth empowerment beneficiaries with their start-up kits.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nOlasupo encouraged participants to preserve trees on their farmland, highlighting their role in pest and erosion control. For instance, the Neem tree serves as a natural pest deterrent for vegetable farms. Expressing gratitude, one of the participants Taiwo Fashola said, \u201cI\u2019m very glad and grateful to our sponsors. I learned a lot I didn\u2019t know before, and I\u2019m optimistic this will significantly add to my income.\u201d Participants left with certificates of participation and a renewed determination to invest in vegetable farming, empowered to make meaningful contributions to their households and communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\n\nContributed by Folake Oduntan<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\n\n\nRelated stories:<\/span><\/b>\n