NDDC trains 364 young farmers in agribusiness

In a bid to enhance agribusiness development and economic sustainability in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commenced training for 364 young farmers under the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project in Rivers State.

The initiative, jointly funded by the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), NDDC, and state governments, aims to empower rural youth and women by fostering sustainable agribusiness enterprises. The training, which pairs beneficiaries with experienced agribusiness mentors, is part of a broader strategy to create 38,250 agripreneurs across nine Niger Delta states: Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, and Rivers.

Speaking at the orientation training in Port Harcourt, Dr. Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, urged beneficiaries to seize this opportunity to build thriving agribusiness ventures. Abiodun Sanni, the National Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND, emphasized the role of youth in shaping a more resilient agricultural economy, underscoring the project’s focus on job creation, food security, and rural development.

With agriculture playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, the LIFE-ND project presents a model for youth-driven agribusiness transformation, ensuring long-term productivity and economic prosperity for the Niger Delta region.

Source: Punch Newspaper

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The LIFE-ND project represents a strategic intervention in tackling rural unemployment and food insecurity in the Niger Delta. However, to maximize its impact, stakeholders must address key factors affecting agribusiness sustainability.

1. Scaling Agribusiness Incubation for Broader Impact
   While the project’s incubation model is commendable, 364 trainees per cycle may be insufficient to drive large-scale transformation. Given the region’s agricultural potential, expanding funding sources and integrating private sector partnerships can scale up participation and ensure greater youth inclusion.
2. Strengthening Market Linkages and Agribusiness Value Chains
   Providing training alone is not enough—young agripreneurs must have structured access to markets, financing, and value chain support. Establishing cooperative frameworks, contract farming opportunities, and agritech solutions will enable sustainable enterprise growth beyond the training phase.
3. Addressing Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Challenges
   The Niger Delta faces logistical and post-harvest storage limitations, which can undermine productivity gains. To prevent market gluts and price volatility, stakeholders should focus on developing aggregation centers, storage facilities, and processing hubs to improve value addition and farmer profitability.
4. Policy and Institutional Support for Agripreneurs
   For long-term sustainability, government institutions and financial agencies must ensure that beneficiaries have access to affordable credit, mechanization services, and technical extension support. Policymakers should also create business-friendly regulations that promote agripreneurship and investment in the region.

   The LIFE-ND project aligns with national priorities for youth-driven agricultural transformation, but its success will depend on holistic execution, post-training support, and private sector involvement. By fostering innovation, market access, and financial sustainability, this initiative could become a replicable model for agribusiness development across Nigeria.