The Nation Newspaper

Tag: agribusiness

  • Youth and agribusiness

    Africa is the second largest and most populous continent on earth with a population of 1.2 billion people (AFP, 2017) having a high population of younger people 41%, under the age of 15 and the continent’s growth is predicted to double by 2050.

    African youths are estimated to be 364 million between the age of 15 and 35, a figure expected to also double by 2045 (AGRA, 2015). Suffice to say that Africa has the youngest population of the world and it is important to pay attention to the burgeoning youth population.

    The population growth rate is obviously not concomitant to the socio-economic growth rate hence the resultant unemployment rise. It’s been observed that a breakneck figure of 10-12 million African youth seek to enter the continent’s workforce, an exercise in futility for many.

    The World Bank reports that “Youth account for 60% of all African unemployed and 70% of African youth also live on less than US$2/day. This is evidently a challenge to the leadership of the African Union member nations.

    In 2009, African leaders met in Addis Abba, Ethiopia and in a bid to find a lasting solution to the challenges of youth unemployment, they declared 2009-2018 as “Africa Youth Decade” and made a strong resolve to ensure resources mobilization from private sector for youth development. Our youths must understand that agribusiness will foster job creation and that their engagement in agriculture sector is important to deal with the scourge of unemployment and poverty across the board.

    While youth unemployment statistics is staggering and heart-breaking, the good news is that agriculture has in it, a seed of greater benefit and has the potential to solve unemployment issues with its growing capacity to accommodate more youth in verified and valuable employment.

    The potentials of agribusiness are endless. The World Bank did project that agriculture and agribusiness in Africa will grow to be a US$ 1 trillion industry in Africa by 2030 just as it averages 24% of GDP across the continent and with the growing world population estimated to reach nine billion people by 2050, the world will wittingly depend on Africa in years to come to feed her, especially as she has the world largest arable land resources.

    As I moved around, I realise that many youths are interested in agribusiness. However there are a lot of impediments to their fruitful engagement and it is pertinent to cast a shadow on issues that prevent youth from wilfully engaging in agriculture and opting instead to seek white collar jobs in urban areas.

    There is no doubt about the fact that agriculture has been ill-conceived by youth as “ruralized “ and done by elderly and due to growth in urbanization, youths abandon agriculture and agribusiness in rural areas in search of “better” opportunities in urban areas – one key reason for overpopulation in some cities of African countries like Lagos, Johannesburg etc.

    Furthermore, agriculture is inherently labour intensive, with difficult working conditions and high risks and although the profession require energy, innovation and physical strength, in tandem with the thoughts of Strive Masiyiwa, agriculture has to be dynamic and profitable to attract youths.

    Youth can drive sustainable agribusiness initiatives but less fruition can be recorded if key players don’t play their roles effectively. It is evident and indubitable that Africa Agricultural Plan also known as the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Growth Development Program (CAADP) is intended to bring about jobs, large economic gain, reduction in hunger etc. Member nations must take the bull by the horn by translating agenda to reality and avoid paying lip service to the development of the sector by relinquishing the 10% of national budget pledge at the Malabo Declaration in due time and creating an atmosphere conducive to structure and catalyse finance and investments into agribusiness.

    The Agenda 2063 of the African Union Commission is quite ambitious and it is committed to promoting food security in Africa. The respective governments have resolved to support agriculture development and as a portion of the document reads, “Africa’s agriculture will be modern and productive, using science, technology, innovation and indigenous knowledge. The hand hoe will be banished by 2025 and the sector will be modern, profitable and attractive to the continent’s youth and women” and to this end, youths need to mastermind innovative start-ups that would produce innovative technologies to improve agriculture while business incubators like African Agribusiness Incubators Network (AAIN) and others provide financial and practical assistance to these innovative agripreneurs as they grow their enterprises to self-sufficiency.

    Many of Africa’s youth are tech and social media savvy and find it difficult to “lay their arms” for agriculture as they are confused on how and where they can use their 21st century skills effectively in agriculture. Thanks to #ICT4Ag and the growing e-Agriculture project of Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), youth can use their hands-on digital marketing skills and prolific ICT knowledge and skill to take agribusiness to the next level, foster job creation taking a cue from projects like Sooretul (Senegal), Farmerline (Ghana), FarmCrowdy (Nigeria), Esoko (Kenya & other countries of Africa) etc. where youth-led agribusinesses leverage on ICT to create value.

    Value is what guarantee rewards but first, youths in Africa must see themselves as valuable; by this they can attract support, like that of the African Union Commission as entrenched in her 2017 theme, “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investment in youth”, it is important for youth to see themselves in light of being a continental asset capable of determining development trajectory of Africa. (AU, 2017).

    Enough said, my charge is simple, youth in Africa, the time is now. You can take agribusiness development and job creation to the next level; you can innovate and create technological tools that can put an end to post-harvest losses in agriculture. You can engage policy makers to create favourable agribusiness policies, you can attract investments to your small scale businesses; you can attract incubation and mentorship from agribusiness champions. You can execute viable agribusinesses, you can access linkages with markets and finance and also popularize your achievements using social media. If it has to be, it is up to you.

  • World Bank programme boosts agribusiness

    World Bank programme boosts agribusiness

    The Lagos State Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) is helping to achieve the World Bank’s twin goals of ending poverty and boosting prosperity by creating new agric entrepreneurs. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Nurudeen Adekunle, a Physiology Graduate, has been searching for jobs without any success until he saw the advert of the Lagos State Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) announcing opportunities in agri-business for graduates.

    The World Bank-Assisted-CADP is aimed at strengthening agricultural production systems and facilitating access to market for participating small and medium scale commercial farmers. It supports the commercialisation of agriculture production, processing and marketing output among small and media-scale commercial farmers and agro-processors.

    Adekunle applied and got the job. He was trained on poultry business.

    At the end of the training, he was given a starter pack which include cage (for the birds), feeds, generating set, crates to pick the eggs, shovels, and wheel barrows.

    Today, his farm is a small scale success story. Adekunle said the poultry business has transformed his life. He makes a lot of money from selling eggs and mature birds. He supplies chicken to individuals, supermarkets and hotels. Not only has he been able to find a sustainable means of livelihood, he has now money to take care of his parents.

    According to him, “the CADP initiative is very commendable which focus is to create employment and encourage participation in agriculture. I must commend the Lagos State government and the World Bank for this”.

    Another beneficiary is Miss Ronke Parker, a science graduate. She knew about the project from a newspaper. She picked the form, filled it and was selected. He received training in fish farming.

    She had one month training at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island, Lagos. She was awarded a certificate on completion of the training. Thereafter, she registered a company.

    The initial cost was N2.5 million. But amount was not given to her in cash. Instead, she received equipment.

    According to her, CADP provided her all the equipment, fish input and quality fish feed.

    She also got automatic fish grader (sorting machine). Several service providers came to her, providing everything she needed for the business. Today, she  has set up a fish farming business.

    Miss Parker said CADP trained her on agric business.

    One difference the programme has made among fish farmers is  ending the era of traditional method of fish-smoking that sees women spending many hours tending to fish laid out on mesh over smoking coals. That is changing with the introduction of smoking kilns. The technology also helped Miss Parker   to save time.

    Before farmers spend about two days drying and smoking the fish. Now, it takes about seven hours to finish it. With CADP, her dreams are becoming a reality. She expressed gratitude to the state government and those handling the project.

    Najeem Olalekan Gbadamosi is elated at the opportunity given to him by the government. A technical school product where he studied Electrical/Electronics Engineering, he is into Aquaculture value chain under the scheme.

    “I got information about the project from a newspaper and a Television programme on LTV (Lagos Television). I got the form, filled it and I was selected. I had one month training at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island, Lagos. I was awarded a certificate on completion of the training. Thereafter, I registered a company- Starworld Integrated Farm Nigeria Enterprises- with the CAC and opened accounts (current and savings) with Fidelity Bank. Over 50 service providers came to me; they provided everything I needed for the business according to my proposal.” Gbadamosi said.

    The indigene of Lagos from Agege said he has completed first phase of his business and ploughed back the profit into the second phase.

    “The total initial cost outlay was N2.35million. But it was not given to me in cash. It was given to me in the form of input into the business. All the things I needed, they provided, which covered the running cost. For instance, at inception, I was provided with borehole, generating sets, petrol, fish, feeds, etc. I started with 1,500 fish today it is about 10,000,” he said.

    According to him, “the important thing is that I enjoy what am doing. Naturally, I like agriculture. It was my father that insisted I should study Electrical Engineering because of his own background. I do not regret it though, because I am using the experience in my farm. I do all the electrical and technical work by myself; so, it is good for me.”

    So far, most of his clients are home owners. He believes he is on the right track and does not waiver in his determination to succeed. While fish farming remains a largely untapped market with a few incentives, he has decided to be a trendsetter and beat his own path in the industry.

    He was excited about the project, adding that they were well- equipped and capable of achieving great milestones while scaling their impact.

    Mrs. Funmi Ayoola , a Marketing  graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, based in Opesa, Iyana Ipaya,  is one fish farmer whose story inspires. She, like her peers, had looked forward to secure a white collar job. She left with no regular source of income for some years.

    Mrs.  Ayoola, a middle age woman , started fish farming business  after she learned about the Commercial Agric Development Project’s call for expression of interest from  an announcement  on  Radio Lagos. She  applied and was  selected for  aquaculture. She was shot listed for training. After the training, Mrs.  Ayoola was supported with seed grants that helped her set up a farm.

    She was  set up with two collapsible tanks. Other items put in place for a successful and smooth running of the fish production by CADP at her farm include borehole system, generator set, feeds among others.

    “I have benefited greatly from CADP. We got collapsible tanks which reduce stress of mobility. “If I decide to change location today, my business would still continue because all I have to do is find a way of moving my fish and my collapsible fish pond. The collapsible fish pond is an improved fish rearing pond system.

    ‘‘I’m not even thinking about job search again.  Mrs. Ayoola said that the entire exercise was transparent and very professionally done,’’ she said.

    She is earning something from the business. This has not only made her feel self-assured, but also more accepted by her community.

    With a secure source of income, she now knows that she can feed her family, send her children to school, and sustain her livelihood. She feels empowered.

    For Olamielekan Otun, a beneficiary of poultry, life could not have been better. An agriculture graduate of University of Maidugari, Borno State, Lekan, Chief Executive, Freash Eggs Farms, a poultry processor,based in Alapado, Lagos learned about the in the newspapers. He picked the form at CADP office in Oko Oba, Agege. After completing the form with necessary documents attached, he  was shot listed and sent among other lucky individuals for a training at Epe.

    “My experience since then has been a wonderful one. “It has not only been a rewarding experience, I am continuously learning every day,” he said. From the  proceeds of the business, he is able to feed his  family and am hoping that the future will be brighter as he get more customers to  buy  his processed children.

    The CADP has changed the story of people  such as Lekan. It is the first of such that will empower qualified individuals with seed grants, giving agriculture entrepreneurs 100 percent of what they require to start their agro ventures. Although the project is aimed at helping participating small and medium scale commercial farmers to access improved technology, infrastructure, finance and output markets, the women and youth empowerment segment of post restructuring has proved to be a huge success.

    Apart from the poultry business, he also keeps pigs. According to him, the pigs take a short time to mature while they also breed rapidly.

    He advised the youth not to shun farming as demand for food is always rising, which means ready market. He appealed to the government to continue with the project to support youth entrepreneurship. This is the story among all the CADP Women and Youth Empowerment Programme beneficiaries.

    The seed grant has helped in setting them on the path of success as many of them are now smiling to the banks with proceeds from the CADP investment in their lives.

    CADP Project Coordinator Mr. Gbenga Ogunyinka said 45 aquaculture production beneficiaries received input support ranging from collapsible tanks, boreholes, scaffolds and tanks, juvenile fishes, weighing scales, feeds and generators, among others.

    He said 33 aquaculture processing beneficiaries were supported with smoking kilns, table size fish, packing materials, shed, charcoal, sealing machines and freezers.

    Apart from introducing fish farmers to new techniques supported by the World Bank, Ogunyinka said some of them have forayed into the international market.

    According to him, branded smoked fish produced by fish farmers in the state are sold abroad.

    In Lagos, according to findings, the project supported the rehabilitation of 16 farm access roads of 34.9 kilometres across the state, among other achievements.

  • World Bank programme boosts agribusiness

    World Bank programme boosts agribusiness

    The Lagos State Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) is helping to achieve the World Bank’s twin goals of ending poverty and boosting prosperity by creating new agric entrepreneurs. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Nurudeen Adekunle, a Physiology Graduate, has been searching for jobs without any success until he saw the advert of the Lagos State Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) announcing opportunities in agri-business for graduates.

    The World Bank-Assisted-CADP is aimed at strengthening agricultural production systems and facilitating access to market for participating small and medium scale commercial farmers. It supports the commercialisation of agriculture production, processing and marketing output among small and media-scale commercial farmers and agro-processors.

    Adekunle applied and got the job. He was trained on poultry business.

    At the end of the training, he was given a starter pack which include cage (for the birds), feeds, generating set, crates to pick the eggs, shovels, and wheel barrows.

    Today, his farm is a small scale success story. Adekunle said the poultry business has transformed his life. He makes a lot of money from selling eggs and mature birds. He supplies chicken to individuals, supermarkets and hotels. Not only has he been able to find a sustainable means of livelihood, he has now money to take care of his parents.

    According to him, “the CADP initiative is very commendable which focus is to create employment and encourage participation in agriculture. I must commend the Lagos State government and the World Bank for this”.

    Another beneficiary is Miss Ronke Parker, a science graduate. She knew about the project from a newspaper. She picked the form, filled it and was selected. He received training in fish farming.

    She had one month training at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island, Lagos. She was awarded a certificate on completion of the training. Thereafter, she registered a company.

    The initial cost was N2.5 million. But amount was not given to her in cash. Instead, she received equipment.

    According to her, CADP provided her all the equipment, fish input and quality fish feed.

    She also got automatic fish grader (sorting machine). Several service providers came to her, providing everything she needed for the business. Today, she  has set up a fish farming business.

    Miss Parker said CADP trained her on agric business.

    One difference the programme has made among fish farmers is  ending the era of traditional method of fish-smoking that sees women spending many hours tending to fish laid out on mesh over smoking coals. That is changing with the introduction of smoking kilns. The technology also helped Miss Parker   to save time.

    Before farmers spend about two days drying and smoking the fish. Now, it takes about seven hours to finish it. With CADP, her dreams are becoming a reality. She expressed gratitude to the state government and those handling the project.

    Najeem Olalekan Gbadamosi is elated at the opportunity given to him by the government. A technical school product where he studied Electrical/Electronics Engineering, he is into Aquaculture value chain under the scheme.

    “I got information about the project from a newspaper and a Television programme on LTV (Lagos Television). I got the form, filled it and I was selected. I had one month training at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Victoria Island, Lagos. I was awarded a certificate on completion of the training. Thereafter, I registered a company- Starworld Integrated Farm Nigeria Enterprises- with the CAC and opened accounts (current and savings) with Fidelity Bank. Over 50 service providers came to me; they provided everything I needed for the business according to my proposal.” Gbadamosi said.

    The indigene of Lagos from Agege said he has completed first phase of his business and ploughed back the profit into the second phase.

    “The total initial cost outlay was N2.35million. But it was not given to me in cash. It was given to me in the form of input into the business. All the things I needed, they provided, which covered the running cost. For instance, at inception, I was provided with borehole, generating sets, petrol, fish, feeds, etc. I started with 1,500 fish today it is about 10,000,” he said.

    According to him, “the important thing is that I enjoy what am doing. Naturally, I like agriculture. It was my father that insisted I should study Electrical Engineering because of his own background. I do not regret it though, because I am using the experience in my farm. I do all the electrical and technical work by myself; so, it is good for me.”

    So far, most of his clients are home owners. He believes he is on the right track and does not waiver in his determination to succeed. While fish farming remains a largely untapped market with a few incentives, he has decided to be a trendsetter and beat his own path in the industry.

    He was excited about the project, adding that they were well- equipped and capable of achieving great milestones while scaling their impact.

    Mrs. Funmi Ayoola , a Marketing  graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, based in Opesa, Iyana Ipaya,  is one fish farmer whose story inspires. She, like her peers, had looked forward to secure a white collar job. She left with no regular source of income for some years.

    Mrs.  Ayoola, a middle age woman , started fish farming business  after she learned about the Commercial Agric Development Project’s call for expression of interest from  an announcement  on  Radio Lagos. She  applied and was  selected for  aquaculture. She was shot listed for training. After the training, Mrs.  Ayoola was supported with seed grants that helped her set up a farm.

    She was  set up with two collapsible tanks. Other items put in place for a successful and smooth running of the fish production by CADP at her farm include borehole system, generator set, feeds among others.

    “I have benefited greatly from CADP. We got collapsible tanks which reduce stress of mobility. “If I decide to change location today, my business would still continue because all I have to do is find a way of moving my fish and my collapsible fish pond. The collapsible fish pond is an improved fish rearing pond system.

    ‘‘I’m not even thinking about job search again.  Mrs. Ayoola said that the entire exercise was transparent and very professionally done,’’ she said.

    She is earning something from the business. This has not only made her feel self-assured, but also more accepted by her community.

    With a secure source of income, she now knows that she can feed her family, send her children to school, and sustain her livelihood. She feels empowered.

    For Olamielekan Otun, a beneficiary of poultry, life could not have been better. An agriculture graduate of University of Maidugari, Borno State, Lekan, Chief Executive, Freash Eggs Farms, a poultry processor,based in Alapado, Lagos learned about the in the newspapers. He picked the form at CADP office in Oko Oba, Agege. After completing the form with necessary documents attached, he  was shot listed and sent among other lucky individuals for a training at Epe.

    “My experience since then has been a wonderful one. “It has not only been a rewarding experience, I am continuously learning every day,” he said. From the  proceeds of the business, he is able to feed his  family and am hoping that the future will be brighter as he get more customers to  buy  his processed children.

    The CADP has changed the story of people  such as Lekan. It is the first of such that will empower qualified individuals with seed grants, giving agriculture entrepreneurs 100 percent of what they require to start their agro ventures. Although the project is aimed at helping participating small and medium scale commercial farmers to access improved technology, infrastructure, finance and output markets, the women and youth empowerment segment of post restructuring has proved to be a huge success.

    Apart from the poultry business, he also keeps pigs. According to him, the pigs take a short time to mature while they also breed rapidly.

    He advised the youth not to shun farming as demand for food is always rising, which means ready market. He appealed to the government to continue with the project to support youth entrepreneurship. This is the story among all the CADP Women and Youth Empowerment Programme beneficiaries.

    The seed grant has helped in setting them on the path of success as many of them are now smiling to the banks with proceeds from the CADP investment in their lives.

    CADP Project Coordinator Mr. Gbenga Ogunyinka said 45 aquaculture production beneficiaries received input support ranging from collapsible tanks, boreholes, scaffolds and tanks, juvenile fishes, weighing scales, feeds and generators, among others.

    He said 33 aquaculture processing beneficiaries were supported with smoking kilns, table size fish, packing materials, shed, charcoal, sealing machines and freezers.

    Apart from introducing fish farmers to new techniques supported by the World Bank, Ogunyinka said some of them have forayed into the international market.

    According to him, branded smoked fish produced by fish farmers in the state are sold abroad.

    In Lagos, according to findings, the project supported the rehabilitation of 16 farm access roads of 34.9 kilometres across the state, among other achievements.

  • Incubators boosting agribusiness

    Incubators boosting agribusiness

    International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and others are accelerating farms’ growth and agri start-ups through incubation facilities. They do this through training and support to aspiring agri- entrepreneurs, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    With the agriculture in the spotlight, the innovation and skills to help the industry make strides in food security and sustainability are lacking. Added to this, the industry’s workforce is ageing fast: the average Nigerian farmer is about 60 years old. To keep the industry going, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other organisations have begun to train a new generation of farmers that will sustain grow the sector.

    The Deputy Director-General, Partnership for Delivery, IITA, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, said through its incubation programme for young graduates, many people have embraced a change in farming.

    Consequently, he said young people trained under its  IITA Youth Agripreneurs programme now consider agriculture as a viable career and  farming as  a real economic opportunity.

    Participants of the  programme, he explained,  are taken through a process which focuses on  building  agro businesses  deemed crucial to agricultural growth.

    According to him, the young   farmers learn new ways of doing things, scaling up small-scale ventures, managing finances and marketing products. In addition, they are connected to a mentoring programme with more established business runners. The institute boasts of renowned experts that can talk about the fundamentals needed to grow seeds, including seed biology, harvesting, storage and how to conduct variety trials.

    Director, Systems and Site Integration, IITA, Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah said the institute’s entrepreneurship programme has been recognised for its engagement and innovation.

    According to him, the programme teaches young graduates how to turn ideas into food  products that create value in society.

    He said the institute has   opened up a business incubation facility to   help both new and up-and-running agric and farm businesses achieve their goals more quickly by providing guidance and advice on any topic when needed.

    To  boost the project, the  organisation has provided demonstration farms where farmers can be taught various agricultural techniques and technologies, showcase new or improved crops.

    In the demonstration farm, the farmers are taught everything they need to know about agriculture. This includes  steps to  improve crop productivity, increase yields as well as profits and food security.

    He said the institute provides opportunities for farmers to participate in its programmes to access varieties that are best adapted to their production system, and yield produce with high nutritional quality and flavour.

    He  stressed that  young   farmers, have a huge range of things that they have to be really good at if they want to be successful, adding that  the institute is providing young and existing ones the support needed to  grow in the businesses.

    Atta-Krah emphasised that steady growth in agriculture, which is critical for tackling poverty and inequality, as well as supporting domestic demand, also ultimately depends on productivity growth.

    In light of the significance of alleviating poverty, creating decent employment and reducing inequality, he emphasised the importance of creating an enabling environment for agric entrepreneurship, which could be a potent catalyst for change.

    Chief Executive, Business Incubation Platform, Frederick Schreurs said the  business  incubator plays a vital role in injecting commercial business growth into agric business as they work with researchers to bring  new products to the market.

    Schreurs said IITA’s Business Incubation Platform (BIP) supports the institute’s strategic goals and accelerates the commercial development of its proven and profitable R4D technologies, ensuring close alignment with R4D, the institute’s research arm. He said BIP focuses on two avenues of commercial development: the creation of innovative and commercially viable products by IITA scientists, and the initiation and building of a network of public and private-sector partners that will support the activities of small to medium scale agribusiness entrepreneurs.

    Agric incubators have played a vital role in boosting innovation and agric growth. However, many business people are still unaware of the benefits that they can bring to the economy. Founder, Agrihub Nigeria, Aderonke Aderinoye is also in the vanguard of enabling   young and inspiring  farmers  grow their businesses.

    She  has created   an agri incubator space  for inspiring  farmers.

  • ‘Heritage Bank committed to agribusiness’

    ‘Heritage Bank committed to agribusiness’

    Heritage Bank  has restated its commitment to further deepen its support to the agribusiness value chain so as to ensure food security in the country.

    Its Managing Director/CEO, Ifie Sekibo, who made the plrdge said the bank would not relent in its efforts to boost the agric base of the nation and make farming profitable to stakeholders and attractive to the youth.

    He said the bank would focus on supporting the agric space via financing farmers to acquire the needed technology that will bring about transformative development in the sector.

    He said the bank will support the drive for increased cash crop production that will boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, which the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is pationate about, given the dangers the continuous reliance on imported food poses to its efforts aimed at job creation, as well as developing and diversifying the economy.

    The bank’s Group Head, Agriculture Finance,  Olugbenga Awe, also said that Heritage Bank was committed to the development of agribusiness and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

    “Our support cuts across the entire value chain with focus on large corporates and small holder farmers.  We encourage value addition and ultimately export,” he said.

    He, however, noted that the bank’s support goes beyond food sufficiency to increasing cash crop commodities that would boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

  • ‘Agribusiness offers high RoI’

    Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) Acting Executive Director,Dr Olufemi Oladunni said the  rate of return on investment (RoI) is higher in Nigeria  for  global firms exploring opportunities in the agric sector.

    According to him, more investment is required if the nation’s agric sector is to provide food to meet rising consumption.

    He stressed the need for foreign investment to come to develop agribusinesses, working with local farmers to improve yields and buying their crops.

    He explained that there are challenges such as lack of infrastructure, low-quality seeds and fertiliser, adding that the involvement of global firms will help the industry overcome some of these issues.

    Stakeholders have expressed concerns that foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the nation’s agriculture sector remains limited despite the industry’s vast potential to develop.

     

     

  • Youths seek bright future in agribusiness

    Youths seek bright future in agribusiness

    The challenges of succeeding in farming and agro business are immense for young people. To address these, Young Professionals  for Agricultural Development (YPARD), an international movement, met in Lagos to share the know-how needed to build agribusiness  during the organisation’s 10th anniversary, DANIEL ESSIET was there.

    Chief Executive Officer, AgriHub Nigeria, Aderonke Aderinoye, is on the fast track to building a successful career in the food industry. She was one of the speakers during the 10th anniversary forum of Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), which was held in Lagos.

    She left her banking job to start farming business. Today, she has a thriving business, completed an entrepreneurial training programme, and led the launch of a private farm estate. The young farmer, Aderonke, is the founder of Keeko Food Hub and AgriHub Nigeria.

    “At Agrihub, the aim is to create shared values for youths, particularly in agriculture and mentor ship through partners,” she said.

    The advantage she has is her ability to adopt technology to boost her farming. These include tracking the growth of crops as well as ensuring that the farmers adopt better agricultural practices and make every crop traceable.

    She has more than 50 acres, growing different crops. With the support of technology, she got significant achievements in agriculture. Her farming is fascinating, but it requires continuous hard-work and devotion.

    With the acquired experience, she was able to study the profile of her farms, advise on the best production method, seed treatment, integrated pest management (IPM), use of raised bed and scientific cultivation.

    For her, agriculture is not merely a profitable business, it is her vision, passion and mission. This is revealed in her words, deeds and thoughts. With her success, Aderonke also motivates several farmers to adopt the scientific cultivation method.

    To further this, her organisation has established a private farm estate in Ogun State to facilitate knowledge transfer to aspiring young farmers through access to farmers with experience. This also aids in practical knowledge and will help to boost zeal in the youth to engage in agriculture.

    Aderinoye argued the case for developing youth-led agribusi-ness to shape a better future for the country. She is determined to reach out to youth food businesses with a triple bottom line vision, and is ready to contribute to the foundation of a broader community in addition to having a great food business. Agribusiness, she added, offers valuable opportunities to youths as a pathway to improving livelihoods, job creation and economic growth. “If planned properly,” she said, “it could lift thousands of youths out of poverty.”

    She added that youths could be empowered to launch small-scale agribusiness activities and a wide range of successful ventures.

    According to her, the future is certain to be bright for youths who venture into agribusiness. With her, the promise of the sector to turn around millions of lives for the better, continues to get believers and financiers.

    Another success story is that of Samuel Kalu, the young Chief  Executive Officer of Agritechnovate Solutions Enterprises. With the encouragement from government helping farmers to diversify into agriculture. He started by growing on large acres, but the profits were minimal due to labour cost. Vegetable cultivation was his main source of livelihood, however, the declining production and income were of great worries to him. He researched and learnt new production technologies for vegetable crops.

    He acquired all relevant information concerning the cultivation of his crops. Today, he is making money from farming cucumber on one plot. From one plot of land where he invested N50,000 to plant cucumber, Kalu made N150,000. The plant takes two and half months to mature and ripe after planting. His strategy is to plant crops with huge market and demand.

    The farm has an array of agronomic practices that guarantee a year-round supply of produce for commercial purposes and household consumption.Kalu is inspiring other farmers to grow vegetable crops.The challenge for him has been lack of offtakers, or the market for the quantity of cucumbers produced on his farm.

    Kalu said there was  need for capacity building, to put youths  in stronger position to run dynamic agribusinesses and help them grow.

    He said there were opportunities in agribusiness and the government needed to develop appropriate policies for it, engage and encourage the youth.

    Kalu noted, however, that unless deliberate interventions were taken to ensure that farmers, achieve higher yields and better prices for their output, the youth will not venture into the sector despite its viability.

    He noted that youths face challenges in seeking greater participation in the agricultural sector.  The main challenges, according to him, include access to knowledge, information and education. Poor and inadequate farming knowledge, he stressed, limits productivity and as well as hinder the development of entrepreneurial ventures.

    He added, however, that some diseases may affect plants on the farm; therefore, appropriate pesticides should be used.

    YPARD Nigeria Country Representative, Olawale Ojo said there were opportunities for young professionals throughout the food and supply chain.

    Creating a positive perspective for young people exploring opportunities in agriculture, Ojo said, was essential for sustainable food supply and job creation.

    Ojo said the establishment of YPARD began as young professionals to realised that they needed guidance to achieve their full potential and contribute towards innovative agricultural development.

    According to him, the group through its activities seeks to equip youths with necessary agricultural, business and social skills, which allow them to make critical and informed decisions about agriculture, to become business entrepreneurs, and decrease the inaugural challenges of building up a viable agribusiness.

    His campaign is zeroed on young farmers to ensure that they meet the quality standards, the quantity required and a constant supply is guaranteed. In return, farmers have a stable market for their produce and at a better price.

    He appealed to young people to approach farming as a business. With employment not readily available, Ojo believes that youths can create their own employment.

    The Head, Communications, YPARD Nigeria, John Agboola,  said the youth in farming are quite different from the old generation.

    He stressed the need to empower young people to find meaningful employment in modern, dynamic, productive and profitable agriculture.

    He said YPARD Nigeria was undertaking activities aimed at creating interest in and commitment to agricultural development among the youth, through information exchange, dialogue, networking and mentorship.

    Among other issues, participants agreed on the need for model farms to enhance the attractiveness of agriculture in the eyes of youth. They maintained that a strong and resilient food system can have a transformational effect on youths by creating jobs and spurring growth in rural and urbaneconomies.

    To achieve this, youths need to adopt climate-smart, sustainable agricultural practices.

  • Rekindling interest in agribusiness

    Rekindling interest in agribusiness

    In spite of its massive job creation potential, the agric sector is hardly attracting the requisite attention. But things may get better as the alumni of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, is making moves to re-awaken interest in agric entrepreneurship, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    The  reunion of the alumni of the Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure, the Ondo State capital, has opened a new vista of opportunity for the agricultural sector.

    The forum brought together agri-business representatives and  academics. The Country Representative, Harvest Plus, Dr Paul Ilona, gave the alumni and students insights on business opportunities in cassava production.

    The school  has  produced  men,  such  as the late Chief Moshood Abiola and  the Chairman of Elizade Group, Chief  Michael Ade Ojo,  who  have   worked extremely hard to become Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.

    While many have chosen to pursue their own businesses, others have held on to government positions  and contributed to  changing   the way agric business is done.

    Some  alumni said if  the college is supported to  improve  on entrepreneurial education, the nation will  benefit tremendously. One  of  those who expresssed this view is  the Chief Executive Officer, X-Ray Farms Consulting and AF Marketing, Afioluwa Mogaji.

    Better known as African Farmer, Mogaji, who  obtained a National Diploma (ND) in General Agriculture from the college, created his own business  after  graduation.

    He founded his own farm production group that grows and sells vegetables. He is proud that the institution contributed to his greatness. It was with great enthusiasm that Mogaji began his endeavour, from the cultivation and processing stages, and all the way through to packaging and marketing.

    With his farms spread across the country, he earns money every day. The skills he has learned through the school’s programmes have been vital to his success as an entrepreneur.

    Named by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as a ‘Champion for Change,’ Mogaji said one of the challenges facing agriculture today is the shortage of people who view it as a business. He said younger farmers are  beginning to usher in a revolution in thinking agriculture  as an endeavour that needs a business and management perspective.

    To sustain agriculture as an industry, he said the government and the private sector need to empower more people to go into agriculture with a business management perspective where they take on risks and seek out returns.

    According to him, the government has to provide an environment that rewards the efforts of agribusiness-persons that are working to change agriculture into an integrated industry with best management practices, people and technologies.

    Earlier, Project Director, Cassava Adding to Africa (CAVA), Prof Kola Adebayo, a former student of FECA, said the agriculture sector represents great opportunity for young people.

    He said many Nigerians have found agro entrepreneurship to be a way out of poverty. And more are likely to take that path in the future.

    For young people to take to agriculture, he said farming must be made to be  intellectually satisfying and economically rewarding.

    To achieve this, he said young people should be given functional education to manage the entire crop cycle, starting with sowing and extending up to value addition and marketing.

    The Provost, FECA, Dr Samson Adeola Odedina, said Agribusinesses are facing a severe shortage of highly skilled workers. This, he attributed to disconnect between the content of education and the operations of agribusiness.

    He said institutions have not been able to  transition their research results into products and services, which enterprises need. To address this, institutions have to change the curricula to  train graduates on how to efficiently operate agribusinesses. creation to new heights.

    He said such programmes should  equip students with sound business concepts and commercial  understanding of the  agrifood industry.

    Odedina said graduates will have career opportunities in many areas, including food marketing, product development, packaging, sales, promotion, advertising, business development, retail management, brand management, food security and transport logistics.

    For him, a qualified agribusiness person must have business skills including agricultural expertise, finance, accounting, marketing skills, and human resource management.

    He said the college is determined  to establish a higher profile brand and reputation through quality graduates.

    As its graduates are successful, he said they will be able to give back to the school in some form.  By giving back to the school, they would have established a higher reputation for their alma mater, which further enhances the prestige of the  college certificates.

    He said the institution has raised many alumni, one of whom is Chief Ojo,  a business mogul. He said the college has produced experts that have  helped the government  and the private sector  to improve  food  production nationwide.

    In addition, Odedina  said  a lot  of  farmers  have  benefited from the college’s technical assistance, thus helping to ensure food security and improve livelihoods.

    Besides providing high-yielding seeds and equipment, he said the  college has supported farmers  with equipment  and techniques to  improve harvesting and preservation to ensure an all-year round farming. While food production  has increased, he said revenue to farmers and farmer households has also grown positively, with modern agriculture machinery also being introduced and training for local farmers.

    Due to the successes recorded in by alumni, the sector has been revolutionised.

    He, therefore, expressed the hope that the reunion  would deepen the successes made so far.

    He praised the West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP) that gave the school the funds to work with schools and farming communities around it. Through adopted villages, he said the college has demonstrated the profitable of agriculture in poultry production, cassava production and value chains, and aquaculture production and processing to schools and communities in Ondo State and people are making a living from it.

    Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer and Programme Director of Multimix Academy, Mr. Obiora Madu  has said that  agribusinesses need  skills to compete in international markets.

    He said the nation has an agricultural potential to enable Nigerians capture large amounts of foreign currency and develop agriculture into an industry that benefits all.

    He said Nigerians need skills in  production, processing and distribution.

    The challenge to him and others is that the agriculture  sector  lacks  people with capabilities that will   provide needed the stimuli to help the agribusiness become a new industry. With the trends in the international food industry evolving, he said agro entrepreneurs have to develop a pragmatic export business plan,create a standard  product that will not be rejected by foreign buyers.

    Madu said his organisation is ready to work with the government to establish agriculture as a new business and find business persons that they can work together with.

    According to him, opportunities exist for business matching and that would-be entrepreneurs would find what’s important through firsthand experience in export agriculture.

    He stressed that agro businesses must appreciate the essential elements and overcome barriers in progressing to the next phase.

  • Agribusiness to get priority attention under Buhari

    National Programme Coordinator (NPC) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Dr Aimen Onojah, has said agricultural produce in the President Muham-madu Buhari administration will receive great patronage.

    He added that the administration would make agribusiness the thrust of its agricultural policy.

    Onojah spoke at the opening of the Marketing and Processing Demonstration Training at National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Represented by an officer of the VCDP, Esinulo Kennedy, Onojah said: “This is a Federal Government project that involved six states. They are Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba. It was packaged to reduce poverty among Nigerians and to stimulate the much needed economic growth of Nigeria.

    “It is a pity that most projects in Nigeria are not sustained but this will be held on a sustainable basis. It was packaged to favour the nation’s agric policy under a value change system with zeal for marketability. What is the value of produce without a market for it?”

    Earlier, the Acting Executive Director, NCAM, Dr Yomi Kasali described the available human and material resources at the institute as “the best” for the proposed policy of the government on prompt marketing of agric products in the country.

    He said: “NCAM is not new to organising this type of training programmes for donor-assisted projects. For five years, the centre organised training/workshops and provided technical back stopping for the processing and market expansion component of Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP).

    “The strength of NCAM derives from its mandate, which is to transform the Nigerian agriculture through the development of indigenous technologies that can reduce drudgery, thus leading to an increase in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. This mandate is being achieved through innovative and adaptive research activities.”

  • Promoting mentorship to boost agribusiness SMEs

    Promoting mentorship to boost agribusiness SMEs

    A Lagos entrepreneur, Mrs. Ogo Ibok, is facilitating mentorship to help investors increase returns on agric investments and boost the sector‘s job creation potential.  DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Chief Executive, Skill En hancement Centre (SENCE) Agric, Ikoyi, Lagos Mrs Ogo Ibok is an enterprise development specialist, who provides  support to small medium businesses, especially start-ups.

    She has consulted for a wide range of start-ups and multi-million Naira mid-level organisations, covering industries such as real estate, power, food, entertainment, IT, construction, education, transport and social sector etc.

    She is promoting a mentorship project to help more Nigerians  grow   produce  for  international markets.

    Addressing a day opportunities’ seminar in agribusiness in Lagos, Mrs  Ibok  said  there was a  need to accelerate agricultural growth and the way forward to foster an entrepreneurship climate in the agribusiness sector.

    She briefed participants on agro business opportunities, new ventures, food business, seed and farm business, and fund facilitation for potential agribusiness entrepreneurs.

    She spoke on business opportunities in the food sector and elaborated on funding opportunities to potential entrepreneurs.

    She sought the participation of potential entrepreneurs present at the gathering, assuring them of effective business incubation and support to help move their agribusiness ideas and ventures forward.

    She expressed concern that  Kenyans  and other  Africans have  taken over the foreign market while Nigerians with so much to offer are lacking behind with an opportunity to earn foreign exchange with dwindling oil revenue.

    In the face of this, she explained that the growth of agro exports, needs to be placed in the broader context of the nation’s   economic policy and performance.

    This, according to him, means  more Nigerians will have to    export agro  produce  to enable  the nation earn more income from  other sources other than oil and  create  jobs.

    The advantage is that  the nation’s climate, soils and overall ecology are favourable for commodities production, making organic crops competitive.

    According to her, organic produce is highly rated at export markets and are accorded  premium prices.

    Consequently, she has taken up a campaign  to educate producers on how to improve their yields and quality and to take advantage of growing market opportunities.

    She said as part of the project,   would–be agro  entrepreneurs  will  match with  established  farmers and exporters  to enable  them  learn how to meet export standards to earn premium prices.

    She maintained that mentorship as a form of skills development is essential in providing an opportunity for hands-on practical experience and a safe place to try new things under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

    At SENCE, she said, the organisation networks with potential mentors, who can help new entrepreneurs take advantage of agribusiness opportunities.

    At the international market, she noted that the   most important concern among European consumers is food safety certification and compliance with environmental and ethical standards.

    Meeting these requirements, she noted, presents a real challenge and some Nigerians are unable to remain as suppliers to the fresh vegetable trade with Europe. Yet, the rising food safety and other standards have provided an important opportunity to Kenyans and other Africans’ fresh produce to trade more generally.

    The business of agro exports, she   maintained, can be complex, with the sophistication required to compete at the high-value end of the market. The international market, she  explained is affected  by  changing consumer demands, rising standards, and just-in-time delivery  that necessitates careful supply chain management and close co-operation with the overseas clients.

    The strategy, according  to her,  is  for  Nigerians to differentiate itself on the basis of product innovation and stringent quality assurance/food safety management systems.

    She reiterated that her   organisation is  determined  to   facilitate the continued participation of many Nigerians in various ways, such as raising awareness on export standards and certification  compliance.

    On the other hand, she  said,  the   local markets still provides some opportunities  and that  traditional commodities offer prospects for significant growth in volume and prices are expected to continue to increase.

    She stressed   the need for a high-quality and comprehensive agribusiness training programme, targeting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

    With a sizeable piece of arable land and elaborate farming skills offered by experts, Ibok said  Nigerians  engaged in different start-up agric businesses will be  equipped with advanced skills and  mentored on managing sustainable enterprises.

    SENCE’s agribusiness skills training bolster agricultural production and productivity through modern agronomical practices, agro-processing and marketing.

    If Nigeria  is to improve agro business competiveness both locally and internationally, Mrs Ibok  stressed the need to improve the efficiency in handling enterprise employees, marketing, quality of the product and capturing more value-added products in ways that will increase returns on investments and boost the agricultural sector job market.

    SENCE, she  said,promotes value chain linked business models that support farmers and agro entrepreneurs to produce for processing through their own investment in local cottage industries, as well as in financial inter-mediation, policy and regulation issues.

    The event proved to be a highly valuable initiative to guide and mentor individuals interested in agribusiness.