ActionAid, Senate convey youth dialogue to boost food production, inclusivity
As Nigeria grapples with rising hunger and systemic food insecurity, a transformative step has been taken through the National Young People’s Dialogue on Inclusive Food Systems, convened by ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) in partnership with the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development. This strategic event aims to foster youth inclusivity in agricultural transformation, with a strong focus on technology, innovation, and agritech as key tools for revamping Nigeria’s food systems.
Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Saliu Mustapha, emphasized the need to shift from outdated farming practices to youth-led, tech-driven agricultural models, stressing that the growing population demands not only higher food production but smarter, sustainable food systems that young Nigerians are well-positioned to lead.
The event, supported by GIZ’s Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys), spotlighted the importance of structural and institutional reforms. A key proposal from the event was the Nigerian Youth in AgriTech & Innovation Programme (NYATIP)—a national initiative poised to empower young agri-entrepreneurs with policy support, access to finance, and capacity-building.
More than 300 youth from all 36 states and the FCT, along with stakeholders from the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), the Presidency, development partners, and policymakers, gathered to voice their commitment and demand action.
Notably, BoA’s MD, Ayo Sotinrin, revealed the bank’s plan to invest in 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) over the next five years, showcasing a more inclusive approach to agricultural financing.
Experts such as Azubike Nwokoye (Food Systems Specialist, AAN) and Solihu Olatunji (Coordinator, Youth in Agritech & Innovations) reiterated that without immediate investment in youth-focused agribusiness, Nigeria risks losing N60 trillion annually in untapped agricultural productivity. They also highlighted emerging innovations such as insect-based alternative poultry feed (grasshoppers and maggots) developed by young agri-preneurs as scalable, sustainable solutions.
Source: Vanguard
Expert Review for Agribusiness Stakeholders
Nigeria’s demographic dividend—over 95 million youth (ages 18–35)—can be a powerful lever for food security and economic development. The dialogue underscores a policy inflection point: traditional agriculture must evolve into an inclusive, tech-enabled agribusiness ecosystem that meets the needs of both rural and urban youth.
Key Takeaways for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
- Policy Reform Needed: Fast-track legislation like NYATIP and integrate it with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to ensure financing for youth-led agritech enterprises.
- Invest in AgriTech: Encourage innovation hubs that support ventures in smart farming, drone technology, alternative feed production, and data-driven agriculture.
- Inclusive Financing: Expand financial products through BoA and microfinance institutions tailored to youth, women, and persons with disabilities. Risk-sharing schemes can de-risk loans for youth startups.
- Rural Job Creation: Scale rural agribusiness clusters to retain talent and reduce urban migration. Include training, infrastructure (solar irrigation, storage), and market linkage platforms.
- Youth Representation in Governance: Institutionalize youth voices in agricultural policymaking—at federal and state levels—to ensure policy aligns with grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Support Informal Innovators: Youth producing maggots or grasshoppers for poultry feed show that agri-innovation is already happening—formal structures must now back them with research, funding, and market access.
This event is not just a dialogue—it is a strategic call to action for public, private, and development sector stakeholders to reshape the food system through empowered youth participation.
