A total of 200 youths, under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme of the Federal Government, under the Phase-One (ATASP-1), drawn from its four zonal catchment areas under its Youth in Agribusiness Incubation programme tagged ‘My Farm My Swag’, has taken part in the project.
The National Project Coordinator of ATASP-1, Dr. Ibrahim Arabi, disclosed that the project is designed to engage youths in agribusiness initiatives along the value chain of some selected crops as a step forward in incubating young agribusiness practitioners.
The Coordinator was represented by the ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr. Kunle Alege, who said the project is training 50 youths from each zone on various aspects that deal with the selected crops, making a total of 200 in all.
The youths would be trained on modern business running strategies and necessary techniques needed to coordinate and operate a successful agribusiness setting.
“The training will basically be more practical than theoretical and it is going to be along the value chain of rice, cassava, and sorghum. After the training, the beneficiaries among the youths will continue to be monitored and also assisted in accessing funds that will enable them to be fully involved in the agribusiness practice. This move has become necessary taking into consideration the age bracket of our current farmers”, Arabi said.
In a related development, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Chief Pius Akinyelure, has urged Nigerian youths to return to farming in order to solve the food scarcity in the country.
Akinyelure stated this in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State at an event organised by the Idanre Development Assembly to honour and celebrate reputable sons and daughters of the community. According to the chairman of NNPC, one of the ways to face the current economic hardship was by going back to the farm.
He said. “If we don’t go back to the farm, where will we get food? We will be importing and the cost of importation is too high. So, the only way out is to go back to the farm, make sure there is security for the farmers so that they are not driven away from their farms and then we can have enough food to feed our nation”. Akinyelure noted that adequate security should be provided to ensure that farmers can cultivate their farms in peace and are not been driven away from their farms. Here is a little explanation of what agribusiness is all about:
What is agribusiness?
Agribusiness blends “agriculture” and “business”, describing the commercial sector that covers farming and farm-related activities. It includes the whole value chain of farm-based products, from growing and processing to shipping and selling.
Agribusiness industry overview
The agribusiness sector has many economic parts that help food production, processing, and distribution. Companies in this field handle all steps of the food supply chain such as:
- Farming and growing crops
- Raising and processing livestock
- Processing and making food
- Shipping and logistics
- Selling and retail
At its core, agribusiness forms the foundation of the food industry by offering key goods and services to meet the world’s growing need for food.
Five examples of agribusiness
The agribusiness industry has several important steps that turn raw crops and farm animals into food we can eat. The value chain includes:
1. Farming: It involves the growing of crops and raising of livestock animals for meat and milk production. This activity forms the foundation for all other sectors in agribusiness.
2. Food processing and packaging: Farms turn their harvests and animals into food products. This work involves slaughtering animals, cutting meat, canning, and wrapping.
3. Distribution and logistics: Trucks move crops and animals from farms to food makers. Food makers ship their products to stores and having good planning, which helps everything arrive on time.
4. Retail: Stores sell food to people in different ways some sales happen at farmers’ markets or through farm-to-table programmes other sales happen in grocery stores big markets, or online shops.
5. Policy and regulation: Government rules have a big effect on the agribusiness industry, these rules cover things like taxes, money for farmers, and protecting nature. To do well in this business, you need to know these rules.
