By Rakiya A.Muhammad
Agricultural systems are under increasing pressure as the global population continues to expand. However, many young people have an outdated perception of agriculture, leading to a troubling disconnect from the land that sustains us.
“Views of farming as a declining industry, lack of access to resources, and insufficient knowledge about modern agricultural techniques limit youth engagement in agriculture in many regions,” observes Mallam Ali Usman, an agricultural specialist.
“On the other hand, existing funding initiatives often overlook the unique needs and aspirations of young entrepreneurs in this field.”
He also bemoans the pressures of climate change, economic difficulties, and insufficient market access.
“As the challenges of climate change and food security loom over us, engaging youth in agriculture has never been more crucial.” Usman underlines.
“We must provide opportunities demonstrating agriculture’s capacity for innovation and impact.”
Such constraints weighed heavily on the agricultural entrepreneur Rakiya Sadiq, making her feel that everything she had worked for was about to disappear. She was on the verge of giving up, as her once-thriving farm was about to collapse.
“I was about to stop this business due to some limiting factors,” admits Rakiya Sadiq, CEO of Zulru Integrated Farms.
However, change was on the horizon, and an entrepreneurship empowerment initiative provided much-needed resources to local farmers.
Rakiya was among the 25 young agricultural entrepreneurs who emerged as winners of the Agripreneurship program, a testament to the potential and resilience of young farmers and an inspiration for others to follow their lead.
A prominent brand of Nestle Nigeria, Golden Morn, provided seed funding to assist them.
The Golden Morn Agripreneurship Webinar Series initiative, a joint scheme between the brand and the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan Atlantic University, aims to foster sustainable food systems through enhanced youth participation in agriculture.
The brand believes that young people hold the key to the future of farming. Thus, the initiative prepares them to become skilled farmers and innovative agripreneurs capable of enhancing the food supply chain.
Inclusivity is vital to the initiative. Empowering young women and men as agripreneurs ensures that diverse perspectives shape the future of agriculture, making everyone feel included in this crucial sector.
According to Nestle Nigeria, Golden Morn has collaborated with local farmers over the years, providing the homegrown maize and soybeans used to produce the nutritious family cereal.
Golden Morn supports Nestle’s local sourcing objectives and positively influences the local economy by procuring 100% of its grains locally, providing a sustainable source of income for farmers and other stakeholders throughout the value chain.
“Raising the next generation of farmers and “agripreneurs” is critical, not just for ensuring the availability of grains for meeting Golden Morn’s needs but also for building thriving communities and sustained economic advancement,” asserts the prominent food and beverage company.
Wassim Elhusseini, MD and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, underscores the importance of youth participation in agriculture. He emphasises that establishing sustainable food systems is contingent on the active involvement of the youth in the agricultural sector, making them integral to the sector’s future.
Elhusseini articulates Nestlé’s unwavering dedication to assisting young individuals in cultivating the competencies and skills necessary to foster innovation in agriculture.
The empowerment initiative exposes beneficiaries to many facets of the agricultural value chain and develops farming skills and the business acumen required for success in today’s market.
‘The training and subsequent support from Nestlé’s Golden Morn has encouraged me to continue the business of maise, soybeans, and rice farming,” a gleeful Rakiya reveals.
Obianuju Okafor, the Project and Finance Manager of the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at Pan Atlantic University, is delighted with the partnership with Golden Morn to offer youth agripreneurs essential skills and knowledge.
“Through this partnership, we are building a community of young agripreneurs who can go on to foster innovative ideas and trends in the agricultural sector to build sustainable food systems now and in the future,” he declares.
Chukwudi Imhokha, CEO of Azimhoc Ventures in Delta and another recipient of the GOLDEN MORN Agripreneurship Webinar Series, shares his reflections on the experience.
“It has been a wonderful learning opportunity,” he says. “The training on adopting business models and circularity for business sustainability and profitability was particularly value-adding and practical for me.”
Imhokha applauds Nestlé for its significant investment in young people through the project, which he considers remarkable.
As these agripreneurs thrive, so do the communities around them. By ensuring a steady supply of grains, they create jobs, support local economies, and contribute to food security, building resilience against external economic pressures.
The company started the Golden Morn Agripreneurship Series in October 2021 to encourage young people to work in agriculture. The series offers training and funding to the most promising business ideas submitted by the recipients.
“As a brand, we are excited to further extend investment towards creating value for young agripreneurs aged 18 to 35 years who are already participating in or are interested in the grain value chain,” declares Ifeanyichukwu Orabuche, Category & Marketing Manager Dairy, Nestlé Nigeria PLC.
“Through the series, we aim to positively impact the local economy by growing agribusinesses to create job opportunities for young Nigerians. Beyond the training and mentoring opportunity the series provides, beneficiaries who excel during the training also stand a chance to win seed funding for their businesses.”
Victoria Uwadoka, Manager of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs of Nestlé Nigeria, reiterates that the company’s brands contribute to social advancement by creating shared value at every value chain stage.
She discloses Nestle is driving influence at scale across crucial socio-economic sectors, including agriculture, to develop a sustainable, mutually beneficial ecosystem.
“Over the years, the brand has consistently supported the growth of a thriving ecosystem of farmers and is now attracting and equipping young agripreneurs, who will ensure continuity from the current generation,” she illuminates.
“Equipping these future farmers will ensure continuous supply of high-quality grains to Nestlé while contributing towards ensuring nutrition and food security to cater to our rapidly growing population estimated to reach 400 million by 2050.”
