The IITA-Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) Project has distributed input and equipment to another cohort of young farmers trained in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the event, which was recently held at the Abuja station of the institute, over 100 trained young farmers received electric-powered egg incubators, de-feathering machines for poultry farmers, a fish smoking kiln, fertilizers, poultry feed, fish feed, herbicides, impulse sealing machines for food processors, and poultry beak trimming machines, among other things.
The Chief Executive Officer of IITA-YAS, Aline Mugisho, said the training and input support resulted from collaborating with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria. She noted that this aimed to support the participants in scaling up their businesses, improving their livelihoods, and contributing to Nigeria’s food security.
Mugisho also commended the participants for their hard work and dedication. She added that in addition to the input support, the project would continue to provide them with mentoring and other forms of support critical to the growth of their agro-enterprises.
She added, “It’s always a great pleasure to see the impact of young people in this great country. We are inspired by your work, which motivated us to give this support. We are sure you can do much more with this kind of support.
“We hope we can breathe some life into your agribusiness and make you do better. Nigerian youths are the most resilient youths I have ever met, and we are confident that the support we are giving you will strengthen your businesses so you can meet your customers’ demands, increase your income, and create jobs for more young people.”
In his remarks, the Dutch ambassador-designate to Nigeria, Ambassador Bengt van Loosdrecht, said he was impressed by Nigeria’s hardworking youths and women. He added that the country’s literacy level and vibrant population interested the Netherlands in helping Nigeria tap its agricultural and solar power potential.
He noted, “I see a lot of women and youth in agriculture, which is very positive. I want to commend you for your spirit and enthusiasm. This country is on the threshold of taking off in agriculture like it did with music, fashion, arts, and even ICT long ago.
“The Netherlands is very interested in tapping into the potential of this country, and already, the Netherlands has a cooperation agreement with Nigeria. I know some companies in the Netherlands specialize in potatoes; they went to Jos and found its ecological conditions perfect for growing potatoes. So, our companies are willing to invest and expand the potato market in Jos, and they will come soon.
“If things go well, Plateau State could feed the whole country. We all need to make sure that the value chain works so that there is no postharvest loss and that the agricultural produce from the North reaches the South. Education, policies, and citizens’ determination are critical to developing the agriculture sector, and I feel your energy, positivity, and optimism.”
Similarly, the Head of IITA Station in Abuja, Dr Beatrice Aighewi, charged the participants not to consume their capital, noting that Nigeria needs to produce more food and work towards better nutrition to have a healthy population.
She stated, “When it comes to agriculture, IITA is the right place, and there is a lot of information IITA can help you with. We have done a lot on our mandate crops, like maize, cowpea, soybean, plantain, banana, cassava, and yam, and you will certainly get a lot from those mandate crops. However, we go into many other things in agriculture, and you can also get information on agriculture in general.
“To the participants, please let it grow once you get the support. You can touch a part of your profit, but let the enterprise grow so that you can expand and be the reason another young person has a job. Also, you cannot shy away from hydroponics, and more young people, especially those in urban areas, are embracing it. Food is number one; without it, you can hardly function in anything else.”
Meanwhile, the Country Director of BopInc, the project’s implementing partner, Mercy Mayaki, congratulated the participants, saying, “Since the project commenced, about 7,000 persons have been trained, out of which about 4,000 persons have had their businesses registered, accessed finance or got market linkages. Whatever you get, make good use of them.
“The business environment is very complex, but do not give up; you are young, strong, and tough, and as they say, ‘tough time never lasts, but tough people do.’ If we all keep pushing, ultimately, Nigeria will be able to attain its potential in the agricultural sector.”
Some past participants who got input support in the first cohort applauded the project’s intervention.
One of them, Jacob Agbo, said the input he received had boosted his production capacity and sales. He encouraged the new participants to be disciplined and appropriately utilize the input rendered to them.
Agbo, a poultry farmer, stated, “The YAS training was quite intensive and helpful, but the major challenge we had before we got the support was meeting the demand for eggs. However, during the input support in 2024, we got 150 points of lay birds and feed, and as of the end of February 2025, that added 105 crates of eggs to our stock. We plan to take it to 120 crates.
“We now have more customers, especially women, which implies that we have created more businesses for women in our community. I thank IITA and YAS for this great opportunity.”
Another beneficiary, Adesina Salaudeen, charged the participants to see agriculture as a business, not just an activity. He added, “We have been working on processing cassava and maize, and with the YAS project, we have launched into other varieties. With that, we have impacted the farmers in our community. Last year, we also sold cassava stems to farmers.
“We are also taking the much we have learned to secondary schools to discuss how to establish agribusiness clubs. Imagine having cassava farms across the schools in Bwari Area Council of FCT, and we offtake much from them. This would help these youths and help to reduce crime. I thank YAS for giving me the platform.”
The event also featured an exhibition where past participants showcased their products to the ambassador-designate and his team.
Contributed by Jesutofunmi Robinson
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