The 17th FOODAGRO International Trade Exhibition

The 17th FOODAGRO International Trade Exhibition on Food, Hotel & Kitchen is the largest Trade event held annually in Tanzania, concurrently held with East Africa Trade Exhibition (EAITE).

This is an ideal exhibition for agro-entrepreneurs aiming to launch a food product or showcase a unique service to a larger audience and meet with potential investors in the agricultural sector all over Africa and the world.

The exhibition attracts exhibitors from more than 30 countries and visitors from all over East & Central Africa, thus giving exhibitors an excellent opportunity to explore several countries in one time. Over the past few years, Tanzania has emerged as a major regional trade centre. This is mainly due to a very friendly and business like atmosphere it offers to foreign investors and products. Duties are considerably low and re-exports to neighbouring countries are either very low or exempted. An enticing mix of consumer interaction and industry presence, the show boasts not only the highest attendance per day, but also the highest business dealings per individual. Trade visitors from all over East & Central African countries are being invited directly and in collaboration with several regional trade bodies in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Mozambique & Congo.

This year’s show has an exciting line-up of both local and international companies and is an ideal platform for product launches, finding new buyers & distributors, promoting brand names & image, updating existing customers and updating oneself with the latest in the industry. The FOODAGRO AFRICA 2013 is the place to learn more about what’s new on the food, hotel, and kitchen & agriculture scene and present your own products to consumers and potential clients. The experience and comments of exhibitors at previous events indicate substantial gains from unexpected foreign visitors and we strongly feel that a rise in such statistics would ensure business especially for the foreign participants who form almost 80 - 85% of the exhibition.

Are you a daring young agro-entrepreneur with products and services you want the rest of Africa and the world to know about? Looking for international partners? Or a possible kick-starters? This could be the networking opportunity you have been looking for. Exhibition starts from the 6th - 8th June, 2013 in Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania. Time: 10 AM TO 06 PM (Business Visitors Only)

“Where Is My Food Coming From” Agro-Entrepreneurship and Youth Unemployment In Nigeria

Nigeria is home to the largest African population on the continent, with a vast majority of its population been classified as young people (0-35) . As youth unemployment rises and an increase in numbers of young people migrating to cities continues, infrastructure is being strained; this is most evident in Lagos (former country’s capital). According to one report, Lagos is the second fastest growing city in Africa and seventh in the world.

Government initiatives and aides cannot meet the demands placed on roads, sanitation, education, health facilities and employment in the urban setting. General agricultural performance within the country is dismal, forcing the youth to leave the fields in search of stable employment in populated cities. This situation is contributing to a generation of youth dysfunction and disorientation (Adeyemi, 2012).

The majority of Nigerian youth are neither interested in farming nor in agricultural professions. The inability to attain an agricultural “revolution” or increase the desire of youth to take up agriculture is created by the continued rural-urban migration that has been taking place over the last few decades. Employment opportunities for youth continue to decline, but expansion of the agricultural sector will bring major improvements.

The Youth Agro Entrepreneurs (YAE) is a social enterprise incubator that aims to rebrand farming as a viable profession for a new generation of farmers by teaching Agricultural practices and business skills required to support the development of a sustainable agricultural enterprise.

In a study conducted by YAE, it was established that youths in Nigeria are eager to secure employment in this sector, but they need to be assured that agriculture can be a better means of earning money. The report explores the current climate of the agricultural industry and why agriculture has become unattractive for young people who are leaving school.

Agricultural training has to be revamped not only to make food available to millions of poor and hungry people, but also to create opportunities for youth to produce cash crops for local and international markets.

There is tremendous deficiency in youth employment engagement initiatives, as well as a crippled agricultural industry. Addressing the deficiencies will be a huge feat. However, with innovative, creative, and meaningful decisions by leaders, advocates, and policy-makers, the nation can begin to provide the necessary training, tools, incentives, and information to motivate the youth to participate in a viable and productive industry—agriculture.

“Where Is My Food Coming From” is a poetry/video fusion by Spoken Word poet, Onimisi “Wordsmith” Ademoh aimed at drawing the attention of the public to an important discussion which would help shape the policies and future of these sector of our emerging economy.


Like on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/YouthAgroEntrepreneurs
Connect on twitter @youthagroent
youthagroentrepreneurs@live.co.uk
youthagroent@gmail.com

ONIMISI
onimisi.wordsmith@gmail.com
http://www.onimisi.com
onimsiwordsmith@twitter

Written & Performed by Onimisi
Directed & Edited by Benedict Raja Obazele
Sound Engineering by Stephen Ameh Jnr
Photography by Blaize Itodo
Make Up by Grace Eno Egbo-Egbo
Executive Prodcuer & Sponsors : Youth Agro Entrepreneurs.

TIPS FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES

This article deals with some basic principles and approaches required in building sustainable enterprises. A quick survey of Nigerian youths would show a high push towards entrepreneurship. Varying theories and reasons have been put forward to explain this trend, while it still remains unclear if these push towards building enterprises are as a result of lack of readily available jobs or an innate character of the average Nigerian youth, the need to create sustainable enterprises cannot be over emphasized in lieu of the current global economic conditions. 

A Youth Agro-entrepreneur must incorporate the model of sustainability into their personal life – thoughts, beliefs and motivation for it to be successfully reflected in their enterprise. 

Below are some basic bullet points from a lecture with a sustainable farming expert Father Godfrey Nzamujo attended by members of the Youth Agro Entrepreneurs at the Songhai Farm Porto Novo site, Benin Republic.

• An enterprise is all about “People who make things happen” – people who are capable of mobilising, inventing and creating.

1. Enterprises are created, grow or die because of people. 
2. An entrepreneur is a person who wants to make money or fame by harnessing the opportunity sets around him/her to satisfy the needs and desires of different social groups.

An enterprise is driven forward by its human resources, the technology it chooses to employ to fulfill the Needs and Desires of its Clients through the Products and Services it offers.

Entrepreneur – Leader – Manager

Who Is An Entrepreneur?

• A person who has a reasonable understanding of his future clients (customers) or their present needs and desires – also their latent needs and desires
• A person who has a reasonable knowledge of how to procure any sets of goods and services corresponding to the needs of a set of a social group.
• He/she has an unyielding drive to bring those goods and services to his clients the fastest way possible
• at the cheapest price possible
• of the best possible quality
• in a sufficient quantity and
• on demand.

A key to building great enterprises lies in the Leader and Manager level personnel as well as a dedicated and happy work force.

Sustainability cannot be imposed on a an enterprise, but instead should be built into the culture of the enterprise from the very on-set.

Young Agro-Entrepreneurs need to strive in attaining Level 5 Manager/Leader qualities to drive and inspire your team.

The concept of level 5 managers/leadership traits are

Level I :

Highly capable individual makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skills and good work habits

Level II :

Contributing team manager would typically be able to contribute individual capabilities to the achievement of group objectives and works effectively with others in a group setting.

Level III :

Competent manager organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives.

Level IV :

Effective leader level traits are those who can catalyze commitment to the project and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision stimulating higher performance standards.

Level V :

The Executive Leader builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. The Level 5 leaders channel their ego away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. It’s not that level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious – but their ambition is first and foremost for the institution, not themselves.

In a nutshell,

Humility + will = Level 5

Level 5 leaders are a study in duality: modest and willful, humble and fearless.

Nigerian Government to Create 700,000 jobs through Agro-Entrepreneurship

The Nigerian Government is set to launch a Youth Agricultural programme that would create 700,000 new jobs in the economy. Mimicking the model of the proposed Youth Agro Entrepreneurs training centres, the Federal government aims to invest in building centres across the federation that would train young farmers on the needed set of skills to start up as entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.

The Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Adesina confirmed this at a press conference at Akure, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) ceremony where he stated that commercialization of the farming sector is key to developing a stronger economy. This developments surely highlights the hope of many organization s and individuals interested in agro-business across the nation.

Surveys carried out by our teams in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja amongst 304 young person(s) showed a strong interest in attending and taking part in such trainjng programmes, to learn how to run profitable and sustainable farm enterprises that would match up with the global agricultural standards and help in playing a part in assuring food security for the country and the region.

Click here to read more on the Minister's declarations.

SMARTPHONES AND RURAL FARMING IN NIGERIA - A Brief Overview

Entering the age of smartphones and mobile applications, a strong demand for collaborative and communal productivity tools has been noticed in many areas of the global economy and the agricultural sector (particularly rural farming ) is the latest to join the trend.

This report is a summary of the key findings by Youth Agro-Entrepreneur (YAE) investigators while reveiwing the usage of smartphones in rural farming in Nigeria. The Youth Agro Entrepreneur is a social enterprise incubator that seeks to rebrand farming as a sustainable and profitable profession for the youth.

The use of mobile phone technologies in boosting the activities of the rural farmer, has gained widespread recognition and acceptance due to the numerous practical advantages it proffers. A few of the popularly reported use of mobile phones are:

• Coordinating access to agricultural inputs, 
• Obtaining vital market information 
• Monitoring financial transactions 
• Consultation with experts for advice 
• Seeking agriculture emergency assistance 

While these might seem like a list of the obvious to an informed few, a vast majority of people quizzed on the importance of mobile phone technology to the average rural farmer in Nigeria by our team, were convinced of its irrelevance. On further investigations the raw data disproved this. There was a clear gap between the perceived needs of a 21st century rural farmer and their actual needs. A survey of over 15,000 rural farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, highlighted the demand for mobile phones which can perform functions peculiar to the farm, with 58% of those questioned willing to pay for these devices if they were available.

Mobile phones have been found to help improve the productivity of individuals and organizations within resource-constrained environments due to increased efficiency, effectiveness, and reach (Burrell, 2008; Hudson, 2006; Saunders et al., 1994) A study of farmers in two districts of Kenya carried out in 2007 recorded the use of the mobile phone for the identification and management of livestock diseases, and for co-coordinating greater attendance and participation in organization meetings (FARM-Africa, 2007) while in Uganda, dairy farmers have employed broadcast information obtained via short message services (SMS) to help co-ordinate the supply of dairy produce in tune with market trends and confirmation from potential buyers, thereby increasing their efficiency. (Karamagi &Nalumansi et al 2009). This is indicative of successful uptake of the technology by the target market.

The rapid uptake and popularity of mobile applications by rural farmers have led to development of unique and innovative approaches to using these applications in solving some salient issues faced by farmers. Literature review reveals some innovative examples:

• Storing agricultural information in the mobile phone (e.g., storing market prices in the mobile phone calendar);
• Using the speakerphone function of the mobile phone for group conferencing
• Receiving market prices through SMS

(adapted from Burrell, 2008; FARA, 2009; Mittal, Gandhi, & Tripathi,2009)

Since the 13th of May, the YAE investigators have been following and monitoring the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) that is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Abuja. The scheme is meant to help small scale farmers gain access to agricultural inputs (mainly fertilizers, improved seedlings & agrochemicals) at government subsidized rates. Eligibility of farmers for this scheme, required prior registrations to a government database where phone numbers and photo identification were of prime importance. All the information needed for succesful purchase of agro-inputs at subsidized rates i.e. unique identification numbers, redemption centres and quantities available were broadcast to the phones of registered farmers. The amount of the subsidy payments to the agro-dealers was controlled via an "e-wallet" which incorporated an SMS validation message for recording every transaction.

The success of the scheme, therefore relies heavily on the usage of mobile phone technology, which is being run by the telecommunication giants Cellulant. This presented the YAE investigators the opportunity to probe the rural farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture/FCTA field workers on the impact of mobile phones on the farmers activities. A survey with questions based around:

• How many farmers used mobile phones 
• How many owned a phone that can be classified as a smartphone 
• How soon did they feel the smartphone trends would finally catch on with the agricultural sector. 
• What the drawbacks and future was for rural farmers using mobile technology. 
• Where they personally willing to invest on owning a smartphone

The survey was carried out around 23 centres in 6 area councils of Abuja. The results obtained were eye-opening. Not only were the high percent of these farmers interested in running an efficient and productive farming venture using the advantages afforded them by a mobile phone, they were also already clear cut problems they wanted their devices to proffer smarter solutions to.

The need for a complete farm management software to help with inventory of inputs, equipments and products was high priority to the young small scale farmers who had educational qualifications while the older demographics with higher rate of illiteracy, all emphasized on the need for a communal and social hub, where they can keep abreast with market trends ( i.e. food prices and customer demands) and share information between fellow farmers. This would have provided them with an immediate solution for the drawbacks faced during the GES exercise. Farmers confidence in the scheme was very low due to past experiences -particularly last years scheme. Many of the farmers had travelled long distances to redeem their subsidized inputs at the centres and complained bitterly of the cost of transportation and what's more some could not get any of the inputs due to "network failures" or issues of conflicting identities (names especially). Other issues raised were the tedious process of sending and receiving multiple text messages (6 sms per farmer) before they could claim two bags of fertilizers. Some farmers pointed out that, the ability for them to have a portal of communicating and sharing their problems, would have helped in reducing their transport costs. a They wanted a scenario where a whole village/community would be able to organize into groups to rent lorries and trucks to transport their fertilizers in bulk to their farms, thereby sharing (and reducing ) the cost of transportation using their phones to network with oyher farmers exclusively. Others argued for a need for a smarter approach which did not require the SMS format.

The surge in need for more productive and efficient farming models is a global trend. The issues raised by the Abuja rural farmers are being discussed all over the world by rural farmers, software developers and technology companies. Heavy investments are being made by software developers to address these important niche market. Over the past five years, a plethora of mobile applications catering to the rural farmer's needs have been developed. A bulk of mobile applications designed presently to proffer solutions to agricultural activities revolve around the day to day running and management of a typical farm set-up i.e. inventory of tools and equipments, tracking of bill payments, monitoring of daily tasks and recording of primary data from farm activities.

Recently, the sophistications of these applications have increased to include process automation of actual farm activities e.g. remotely controlled mill, tractor etc LoadOut Technologies LLC's YellowBox is a typical example of such system. It connects to hazardous farm machinery and allows farmers to work the controls from a remote location using a Wi-Fi signal. While these developments, are major steps in redefining the actual process and view of traditional farming methods, the ability to communicate and get involved with a network to aid marketing of farm produce and keep abreast with trends are more important. Agricultural applications to aid the rural farmer must possess capability to create an e- marketing networks, be able to distribute some sort of information, which could include weather reports, future market quotes, and market analysis. On the other hand, it should also be able to bridge the gap between e-marketing input supply firms and farm produce consumers e.g. hotels, restaurants, food processing companies etc. The ability to stay connected with market trends i.e. price of goods, supply and demand, all makes it possible for a farmer to monitor their stock and decide on market prices efficiently. This is undoubtedly a vital tool in boosting productivity and market potential of farm produce. An example of such applications, is Trello.com -a cloud based farm management service.

The global explosion of the social media phenomenon has led to a variety of innovative and unique marketing strategies been employed by sales companies and PR companies. With nearly a hundred million people on twitter and approximately half a billion people on Facebook, the potential for marketing and networking on a global scale has fully taken a new dimension. As it is being exploited by the entertainment, literature, education and financial sectors, agriculture should be no different. Battling against rural isolation, farmers have begun to make use of the opportunities that social media offers. An interesting case study is that of the #AgChat . Initiated by a British Farmer Michele Payn-Knoper, it is a moderated discussion and forum on Twitter, where professionals, enthusiast and investors in farming and food topics share ideas and discuss topical issues affecting their work and has managed to gain over 10,000 contributors spread across 10 countries and projected to grow by a 1000 % per year (Farming Futures,Madeline Lewis 2011)

These need for widening the scope of farmers through the use of a specialized social networking platform, is what has inspired a young Nigerian software developer who pleaded for anonymity to initiate a project that aims to develop a social network based android application for connecting farmers within the Nigerian agricultural sector with customers, clients, agro-input companies and local buyers of farm produce. These would serve the ambivalent function of helping farmers network and create a community to exchange skills, knowledge and agronomic information, while also bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. We at the Youth Agro-entrepreneurs, received this news with such glee, that we immediately contacted the software developer and promised to aid the project with as much data and academic resource that would be needed to make this laudable project possible.

I have been asked why the sudden need to arm our farmers with Qwerty keypads rather than pesticide sprayers and cutting tools, and the answer is easy; Agriculture has been identified as one of the key tools for fighting poverty and unemployment in developing economies (Rockefeller Foundation, 2012 Farming Now Innovation Awards) particularly by engaging the youths. In Nigeria, It is indicated that agriculture accounts for 4.2% of total government expenditure, and this share will go up to about 14.6% by 2015 and 18.6% by 2017 as youth venture into agriculture as a source of employment ( Diao et a 2012)

Modernization and automation of farming processes, would help draw a high number of the affected demographics into agricultural industry and also push the efficiency of general operations in the sector. The youths account for 70% of the population and with over 80% of rural youths engaged in subsistence farming, and an even higher percentage already using mobile devices (Deji O.F. 2011), this represents a large market for ICT application in the agricultural sector. The motivation is quite simple - to produce smarter and efficient agro-entreprenuers that would meet up to the global food challenges and our local employment issues, they need smarter tools.

Kabir Onimisi Ademoh
Communication Officer
For Youth Agro-Entrepreneurs

A Beginner's Guide To Moringa : Application and Financial Benefits

Dubbed the miracle plant, moringa has gained a renewed interest globally as a very important crop in the push to end hunger and fight poverty.

There are numerous claims and counterclaims in regards to its published benefits health-wise, but this has not deterred the popularity amongst farmers across the country. The demand for Moringa based products from the leaves, powders, oil extracts and it seeds has provided a relatively easier option of growing economical plants with low initial start up cost.

The process of production before sales to the consumers are relatively easy and can be carried out without the need for specialized equipments. This thus provides the young agro-entreprenuer a viable investment opportunity.

The YAE team have a detailed presentation designed by Rev. Father Godfrey Nzamujo ( Founder and Director General of Songhai Farms)

Moringa presentation (general) from Samuel Ekene

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY TIPS (SNAILS)

This is document is courtesy of Youth Agro Entrepreneur (YAE).

Snail farming is a very lucrative venture that has gained popularity and renewed interests in recent times amongst part time and young farmers who are in need of an alternate , means of income . Amongst the various forms of animal husbandry, it is considered to be relatively easier, less labour intensive and with minimal time consumption. The ability to set up and operate a snail hatchery as a secondary activity is one of the key reasons for its renewed popularity and interest.

In this document, you would be guided through some of the basics of snail farming ( tips, starter points and salient issues every snail farmer should know)

This is not a complete operational procedure, more information can be obtained via search engines ( google, bing etc ) online and directly by engaging consultants.

Brief Overview

Snails are invertebrates, which means they lack a backbone. They belong to a large and highly diverse group of invertebrates known as the Phylum Mollusca (also known more commonly as 'mollusks'). The Phylum Mollusca includes slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, squids, octopuses, and nautiluses, in addition to snails.

Though "Snails" is a term loosely used to describe shelled members of the mollusc phylum, agriculturally we are interested in three main species

1. Achachatina spp 
2. Achatina-achatina spp 
3. Achatina Fullica spp 

Achachatina Spp:

These are the biggest in size and therefore the most preferred for consumption and commercial snail farming. They are less reproductive and need 6 months to start laying eggs. ( note all Snail species are hemaphrodites). They typically lay between 80-100 eggs per year and take 24 days to hatch. Adult sized achachatina can grow to approximately 350- 500 grams.

Achatina-achatina spp:
They are not as big as achaachatina in size but are generally more productive. They lay between 200-400 eggs per year and incubate in 20-22 days. They are sexually active from the 6th month and adults weigh up to 250kg.

Achatina Fullica spp:
These are the most productive specie, but are relatively smaller than the otber two species. They also take 6 months to reach sexually active stage and produce 400 -600 egg, which can be incubated in 15 days. They can grow to 80g in body mass and are mainly used for feeding fish, etc.

FEEDING

Snails are omnivorous. They eat mainly leaves, vegetables and rotten fruits in the wild. For effecient snail rearing, the farmer needs to incorporate natural feeds and compounded feeds to ensure that the snails gain all the required nutrional needs for their different stages of growth. Compunded feeds are available from the markets and large scale snail hatcheries around your chosen area. For farmers who can afford it and can readily find all the needed raw materias, a consultant can be employed to formulate suitable feeds for your snails.

When feeding them please AVOID BITTER tasting vegetables, as this would ruin the taste of your snails and reduce its marketability.

Approximately 30 grammes of food per day is consumed by each snail. Feeding should be done late in the evening (from 5 pm) or at night ( this makes it ideal as a secondary activity). The hatchery needs to be watered and left damp BEFORE feeding. This is required to draw out the snails to consume their feed immediately. Left-over food should be removed from the hatchery to avoid ants and insects invading your hatchery.

SOIL TEST, PREMISES SET-UP & SECURITY

There are a variety of innovative and improvised premises/hatchery used for the rearing of snails to micmic the habitat they are found, in the wild. The decision of what type to use is usually decided by the funds available to the young farmer and also the size of supplies he or she aims to meet. There are a few basic guiding rules. Snails survive best in DAMP, HUMID environments not water logged lands! A common mistake made is to flood the land for rearing snails.

Avoid clay soil, stony land and water logged areas.

Build a shelter for your snails- a roof (thatch, zinc ) mud house or just a plant canopy (Banana trees, Palm Trees are popular choices)

If you must build a house, avoid direct sunlight and cement floors. !

LAND PREPARATION

Mulch soil with banana leaves, and fertilize soil with animal droppings and compost.

Till the soil under the canopy with the compost at 30cm height then irrigate for two weeks.

Till soil again with dry compost matter, preferably avoid animal droppings, as they would generate heat during their decomposition, which is not good for your snails

Create pens on the tilled soil, by using actual barriers like raffia baskets, waterbeds etc. 25 breeders per square metre is the usual size of a snail pen.

Leave for another week, then organize a soil test with a company, consultant or a chemist, confirm the pH leveles of your soil and if possible a heavy metal ion analysis test.

Check for earthworms, bugs, and other form of life and activity. If you are happy with the fertilitynof the soil and your test results

Take down the dates and the results and store away,

Introduce your breeders to their pens.

SECURITY

Building barriers to control the movement of the snails around the premises is not a must. Snails tend to stay around the areas they feed and rest. But the bigger threat are the predators.

Human threat- snail stealing is quite common place so you woukd need a security personel if you are not resident on site.

Rodents, snakes and ants are the biggest threatsyo your snails survival. Particularly the ants.

Clean left over food immediately and set ablaze any ant hills or holes you find. Waste oil from the mechanics also suffice in stopping ant colonies,

Poisoned foods for the rodents at the barriers of the pen

A newer idea, is the use of waterbeds to protect the perimeter of the snail pens.

Do not use insecticides or other organic aerosols near or over the snail hatchery

Meet the YAE team

Fatima Ademoh

The success of this project depends a great deal on the people involved.

Fatima Ademoh
The principal investigator of this project, Fatima Ademoh, is very passionate about Finance and Agriculture which makes this project a wonderful fit for her. Her current research interests include Youth Agro Entrepreneurship and Financial Risk Management. She loves to volunteer, watch series, reading the Financial Times and helping others. She is an avid Manchester United fan and wants to travel the world.

Jelena Zivkovic

Jelena Zivkovic is part of an amazing research team that spans three continents with research interests in inclusion, sustainability and change. Most of her work has been in developing countries helping to make life altering changes to the lives of less privileged youths. Her current research interests are in the youth of Nigeria, with a focus on agri-preneurship. Her team seeks out opportunities to earn while you learn and learn while doing – join the journey.




Yinka Oniyangi is passionate about unemployment and the challenges facing youths of developing countries. She is an avid reader and a big fan of Manchester United. This project provides her with the chance to be part of a team that plans on effecting a big change in the lives of many people.

Yinka Oniyangi

Kabir Onimisi Ademoh is a Life Science graduate from Warwick University, passionate about Social Innovation and Communication.He is involved in a variety of Youth projects mainly Performance Poetry and Digital Art Workshops. His hobbies are Football, Photography and Travelling.

Kabir Onimisi Ademoh

What is Youth Agro Entrepreneurs (YAE)

In 2012, The Rockefeller Foundation identified revitalizing the agricultural sector as one of several key global challenges. This is why the “Farming Now” section of the competition was established with the aim of generating fresh and innovative ideas that would attract and encourage unemployed youth to enter the agricultural sector, thereby infusing youthful energy into this vital sector of the economy.

Youth Agro Entreprenuer (YAE) will seek to rebrand farming as a viable, profitable and honourable profession for a new generation of farmers. YAE will be a social enterprise incubator that will teach youth the agricultural practices and business skills required to support the development of youth-led agricultural enterprises

YAE aspires to become a financially self-sufficient organization which will empower unemployed youth with the knowledge, skills and drive to become consultants and agricultural entrepreneurs.
YAE hopes that this will contribute to alleviating the problems of extreme poverty and high levels of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

YAE research team will visit self-sufficient schools that exist in Africa and South America where they will observe the process and procedure of how hands-on and knowledge-based learning is being practiced and applied. Furthermore, consultants from similar established institutions will be sought to bring expertise and experience to the development of agricultural schools in Nigeria.

YAE has been awarded as grant by The Rockefeller Foundation to finance the development of a strategic plan for the implementation of a youth agriculture entrepreneurship training centre in Nigeria. The YAE team will be conducting research on the feasibility of the training centre and developing partnership with stakeholders, as well as communicating the results of the research to the public.

YAE intends to utilize this opportunity with the utmost discipline and focus in order to boost the stagnant agricultural sector.

For further Information please contact: Fatima O Ademoh (Fatima.ademoh@aun.edu.ng, oyizaf@gmail.com)