...over 23,751direct jobs created within rural communities – LIFE-ND

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – IN a bid to boost food production, the Federal Government, Wednesday, disclosed plans to harness agribusiness potential of youths.

The plans were made known by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, in an address delivered at the ‘Scaling up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation’ summit organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta, LIFE-ND, Project, held in Abuja.

Kyari noted the numerous challenges affecting youth in the agric space over the years including limited access to finance, land, processing facilities, markets, and mentorship; insufficient skills aligned with market needs; and environments that do not fully reflect their potential.

Meanwhile, he maintained that the Tinubu-led administration has embarked on programmes and projects to give youth a conducive environment to be profitably engaged in several value chains.

He said: “Today, we come together with one huge focus to change the narrative. This event marks a clear commitment to scale up youth agripreneurship across our country and region. Our goals are concrete: To unlock land and productive resources for young farmers, while ensuring secure tenure and responsible stewardship of the land.

“To expand access to inclusive finance, credit guarantees, and streamlined procurement mechanisms that favor youth-led agribusinesses.

“To accelerate business development support—mentorship, incubation, and commercialization services that translate innovative ideas into viable enterprises.

“To strengthen market systems through digital platforms, value chains, and production, public-private partnerships that enable youth products to reach local, regional, and international markets.

“To embed climate resilience and sustainable practices at the core of all youth-led productive endeavours, aligning with our climate and food security commitments.

“To measure progress with transparent, disaggregated data so that we can learn, adapt, and scale what works.”

He also promised the youth a land access and tenure assistance programme; innovative fund/financing mechanism with blended finance options; An expanded set of business development services; A digital platform for youth agripreneurs to showcase products, access buyers; and a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) system.

“None of these ambitious plans will succeed without partnership. I call on all actors—government ministries and agencies, financial institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, farmers’ organizations, and, most importantly, young agripreneurs— to join hands.

“Your trust and collaboration give us confidence that scaling-up youth agripreneurship is not only possible but inevitable.

“Let us commit to concrete actions, shared accountability, and a shared vision of a transformed agrifood system where every young person can grow, innovate, and prosper”, he said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Abiodun Sanni, in a remark disclosed the impact of the project in States the project is being implemented.

According to Sanni, over 29,620 youths and women trained as agripreneurs across priority value chains Including cassava, rice, oil palm, aquaculture, poultry, and horticulture.

Enabled the creation of over 23,751direct jobs within rural communities. Increased household incomes by an average of 50% among beneficiaries, contributing
to poverty reduction and community resilience. Facilitated enterprise incubation through business mentorships.

“The LIFE-ND Project has demonstrated that with the right model, Nigeria can convert its
youthful population from job seekers to agripreneurial wealth creators capable of transforming
the nation’s food system.

“We are confident that with sustained commitment, expanded partnerships, and the scaling
strategies presented today, LIFE-ND will evolve into a national model for agricultural prosperity, food security, and economic resilience”, he added.