IITA trains youths on food security

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is making a tangible impact on youth empowerment and food security in Oyo State through its innovative Agribusiness Project. By equipping young people with essential skills in horticultural crops, cassava processing, and catfish value addition, IITA is not only fostering entrepreneurship but also directly contributing to Nigeria's broader goals of economic development and job creation.

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The organisers deliberately opted for input support instead of cash empowerment to ensure that beneficiaries properly invest in their agribusinesses.

This initiative, notably sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, exemplifies successful international collaboration in addressing critical local challenges. The focus on providing both technical training and crucial input support—rather than direct cash—demonstrates a thoughtful approach to ensuring that beneficiaries can establish and grow sustainable agribusinesses. This method aims to prevent funds from being diverted and maximizes the potential for long-term success.

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Training alone is not sufficient; we also need to back them up with practical support so they can establish and grow sustainable businesses.

The program's emphasis on practical application, as seen with the horticultural crop production training, yields immediate results, allowing participants to generate income. IITA's vision, echoed by HortiNigeria's Programme Director Mohammed Salasi, is to cultivate a generation of self-reliant agribusiness owners who can significantly contribute to feeding the nation. This grassroots approach, where individual success translates to community and national progress, is a cornerstone of Nigeria's agricultural development strategy.

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We believe that in the coming seasons, they will be able to stand on their own and contribute meaningfully to feeding the nation.