The Kingdom of the Netherlands, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), is embarking on a project to train 10,000 Nigerian youths in agribusiness, utilizing innovative technologies for sustainable food production.
Mr. Geoffrey van Leeuwen, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, highlighted the significance of empowering Nigerian youths in agriculture during his address to the beneficiaries in Abuja. He emphasized that the collaboration aims to promote food security, job creation, and wealth through agriculture in Nigeria.
Accompanied by Mr. Wouter Plomp, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, the Dutch minister visited the Golden Finger Farms and Ranches, the agri-hub for the Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) project in Abuja. They also inaugurated a new training hall for the project.
YAS, an initiative by IITA, targets youths aged 18 to 35 for agribusiness training. Ms. Aline Mugisho, the Team Lead for YAS, explained that the project, supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, collaborates with partners like Golden Finger Farms and Ranches and Bopinc to train beneficiaries.
Ms. Mugisho emphasized the critical importance of youth involvement in addressing Nigeria’s rising unemployment and food security challenges. With a goal to train 10,000 youths and indirectly benefit 40,000 individuals, the project aims to create businesses and jobs while ensuring access to market systems and financial institutions.
By accelerating youth businesses and enhancing income opportunities, the project aims to foster food security and economic resilience among Nigerian youths, recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s agricultural landscape.
