FG, Niger sign agreement to engage 100,000 youth in agriculture

In a landmark initiative aimed at addressing food security and youth unemployment, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Niger State Government, and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower 100,000 youths through the National Youth Agricultural Scheme. The agreement, signed at the Niger State Government House in Minna, seeks to integrate young Nigerians into large-scale agricultural production, positioning them as key players in the nation’s food system.

At the signing ceremony, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, commended Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago, for his proactive efforts in boosting agricultural productivity and job creation. The Minister emphasized that the agreement aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes food security and youth empowerment as critical components of national development.

Speaking on the initiative’s economic potential, Mr. Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, revealed that the project aims to produce 500,000 tons of food, with participating youths earning ₦150,000 in the first year, with prospects of significantly higher earnings in subsequent years.

NALDA’s Executive Secretary and CEO, Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, described Niger State as an ideal location for this initiative, citing its vast arable land and ongoing agricultural development efforts. Governor Bago, in his remarks, expressed optimism that the initiative would transform the agricultural landscape and unlock opportunities for Nigerian youth to thrive with structured support.
Source- Guardian

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The National Youth Agricultural Scheme represents a significant intervention in Nigeria’s drive toward food self-sufficiency and employment generation. By integrating 100,000 young people into the agricultural value chain, the program addresses two critical challenges—youth unemployment and low productivity in food production. However, for the initiative to yield sustainable impact, certain factors must be addressed:

• Sustainable Land and Resource Allocation
  The success of this initiative will largely depend on access to land, irrigation, and necessary infrastructure to support large-scale farming. Many youth-focused agricultural schemes in the past have faced setbacks due to inadequate land preparation and poor resource allocation.

Recommendation:
– Ensure that land provided through NALDA is well-prepared and equipped with essential farming infrastructure.
– Facilitate access to irrigation to support year-round production.

• Training and Capacity Building
  Providing land and financial incentives alone will not be enough to ensure success. Many young participants may lack the necessary agricultural knowledge and business acumen required to thrive.

Recommendation:
– Implement a technical training program covering modern farming techniques, mechanization, and agribusiness management.
– Introduce mentorship programs with experienced farmers and agripreneurs.

• Market Access and Value Chain Development
  A major challenge for farmers in Nigeria is market access. If the initiative focuses solely on primary production without addressing off-taker agreements, storage, and processing, it could lead to post-harvest losses and price fluctuations.

Recommendation:
– Establish guaranteed off-take agreements with food processors, exporters, and agro-industrial hubs.
– Integrate the youth into a structured agricultural value chain, including agro-processing and distribution.

• Financial Support and Incentives
  The projected ₦150,000 earnings per youth in the first year may not be enough to sustain long-term agricultural engagement unless it is complemented with access to low-interest credit and input subsidies.

Recommendation:
– Provide financial literacy training to enable youths to manage farm income effectively.
– Develop a credit scheme in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture or private agrifinance institutions.

• Scaling the Initiative Beyond Niger State
  While Niger State is well-suited for this pilot phase, scaling this initiative across multiple states with high agricultural potential will significantly boost national food production.

Recommendation:
– Establish state-specific agricultural youth hubs across key farming regions.
– Involve private-sector agribusiness firms to expand investment opportunities for youth in agribusiness.

This initiative holds tremendous promise if properly implemented, offering a pathway for young Nigerians to view agriculture as a profitable and sustainable career. For agribusiness investors, opportunities exist in farm input supply, mechanization services, and agricultural training programs tailored to these young farmers.
With effective governance, structured implementation, and market integration, this program has the potential to reduce unemployment, increase food production, and drive rural economic growth. However, monitoring mechanisms must be in place to ensure that funding, resources, and technical support reach the intended beneficiaries.