Youth Agripreneurs Agriculture is the future

November 2015 Issue 13

Youths are drivers of change in agriculture, says AfDB President

IYA representative-DR Congo Noel Mulingaya (sitting-left) while speaking on the prospects of the IITA Youth Agripreneurs Program during one of the panel sessions at the conference The President of the African Development In view of this, the AfDB will be supporting on food. An example of this is cocoa. Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina has countries like , Cameroon, Africa exports cocoa very cheaply identified the IITA Youth Agripreneur’s DRCongo, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, but surprisingly, we import chocolate model as a scalable approach towards Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, expensively,” he said. transforming Africa’s agriculture. Mozambique, amongst others to create 28 million agribusiness jobs using the IYA He added that this was the right time The President stated this during a model. for Africa to act. “China did it in 10 years, conference on Africa’s Agriculture we as a continent can do it in less than Transformation organized by the AfDB During his remarks, the President of Dr that, and we can only do that if we in collaboration with the Senegalese Adesina spoke about the potential of involve the youth, women, local farmers, government and the African Union (AU). Africa and emphasized that unless Africa financial institutions, local governments, embarks on substantial agricultural private sector partnerships, and other The conference, which was held at the transformation initiatives, it would be development partners to uplift Africa,” he Abdou Diouf International Conference difficult for the continent to break the added. Center in Dakar, Senegal, from 21-23 chain of poverty. October, was aimed at strategizing In line with this, Dr Adesina further and forging alliances with African “We all know and believe that Africa has announced that youths would be governments, financial institutions and potential due to the natural endowments supported to become gainfully engaged other stakeholders on how to unlock but Africa will not feed on potential but in agriculture through the ENABLE YOUTH Africa’s potential in order to eliminate program. The program, which is to be poverty and reposition Africa’s place to conducted by the AfDB in collaboration feed the rest of the world. with IITA using the IYA model will exploit the potential of the youth in agriculture The event was part of AfDB’s action through mindset change, the use of ICTs in plan on how to transform Africa’s rural agriculture, and rural youth involvement communities into thriving hubs for food, to reduce rural-urban migration. fiber, feed production and processing through an increase in agricultural During a ministerial panel and a work productivity, production and linkage to stream session on youth in agribusiness, domestic and foreign market. The plan the Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya is to eradicate poverty and improve Sanginga spoke about the rationale livelihoods with increased incomes from behind driving a youth-led initiative using agricultural activities through massive IYA as a model. Representatives of IYA creation of small and medium scale from Nigeria and Democratic Republic of agricultural enterprises for youths and Congo (DRC), Evelyn Ohanwusi and Noel women in Africa. AfDB-President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina Mulingaya spoke on the opportunities, delivering his speech at the conference challenges and prospects of the IYA . www.youthagripreneurs.org ...Continue on page 2 page 1 ... From page 1

Dr Adesina said the IYA model would be investments in African agriculture and Dr Adesina in his closing remarks at the adopted and scaled out to other countries agribusiness; it will accelerate financing conference reiterated that the above in Africa. to the agriculture and agribusiness listed were bold decisions and nothing At the end of the conference, stakeholders sector through private equity funds; less than bold decisions and stressed that drew action plans to ensure that Africa and it will leverage sovereign wealth nothing less than bold decisions were regains its glory in the agricultural sector. funds and pension funds to support needed to transform Africa’s agricultural Among the plans is the establishment the long-term financing needs of the sector and unlock its huge potential. He of a $300 million dollars facility to agricultural sector, especially for critical also stated that all delegates must leave de-risk financing for women owned- infrastructure development. Finally, the Dakar strongly committed to accelerate businesses by commercial banks and Bank will scale up skills enhancement implementation of actions on these areas microfinance institutions. The Bank will for youths in agriculture and establish which must be acted upon with a sense also develop Agribusiness Diaspora an African Youth in Agriculture Financing of urgency. Bonds to securitize remittance flows for Facility to support young commercial farmers and youths in agriculture.

Dr Sanginga champions the cause of youth-in-agriculture in Africa agribusiness, service provision and market-oriented agriculture, with huge impact upon their rural communities. Different models developed by IITA, AGRA, FARA, and CTA offer stepwise approaches to strengthening the skills of youth in agribusiness and are ripe for expansion and integration”, he said. Arguing against, Prof Sumberg stated that there should be provision for the research component in the concept of agriculture before implementation by youths. At the end of the debate, there were series of questions and answers both Debaters at the summit; IITA DG, Dr Nteranya Sanginga (L) with a Research Fellow from ILRI, from the panelists and the audience. The and James Sumberg (R) final voting from the audience resolved Agriculture remains the largest employer scientists: Prof James Sumberg, a the debate fairly as 23 votes were of any sector in the economy of most research fellow from the Institute of casted in support of Dr Sanginga and 18 African countries. In view of this, the Development Studies; and Dr Nteranya persons voted against the notion that transformation of the agricultural sector Sanginga, the Director General of ‘agriculture is a sector of opportunity for in Africa holds tremendous promise the International Institute of Tropical youth in sub-Saharan Africa’. for increased economic growth and Agriculture (IITA). creation of employment opportunities for the continent’s young people. Arguing for the topic; ‘Agriculture as a Sector of Economic Opportunity for Against this background, the MasterCard Youth in sub-Saharan Africa’, Dr Sanginga Foundation organized a two-day summit emphasized that about 12 million tagged ‘Young Africa Works,’ on 29-30 youths seek to enter the continent’s October, at the Old Harbour Conference workforce but without success. He Centre, West Hotel in Cape Town, South stated that although agriculture has lots Africa to bring together a community of opportunities, youths were skeptical dedicated to finding solutions to youth about the vast opportunities available unemployment in Africa. The summit due to lack of access to arable land, credit was aimed at engaging young people, facilities, practical skills, access to market while ensuring that their voices, and other core essentials for succeeding perspectives and ideas are heard. in agribusiness. During the summit, there were various Using the IITA Youth Agripreneurs IYA sessions where issues relating to as an example, Dr Sanginga argued that demand-driven skills in agriculture; with the right skills and support; young agricultural finances and organization; men and women could be productively and mixed livelihoods in agricultural engaged in agriculture. value chains were discussed. “Given opportunities and incentives, President and CEO - MasterCard Foundation, Highlights of the two-day event was a and mind-set change, rural youth Reeta Roy (M) with IYA members; Ibironke debate between two knowledgeable can profitably be redirected toward Ifedayo (L) and Asaaju Oyindamola (R) www.youthagripreneurs.org page 2 The Green Wealth Agripreneurs The new birth

The Green Wealth Agripreneurs with the IITA DG, Dr Nteranya Sanginga (sitting-3rd from left) and some management staff of IITA On May 25 2015, a new team of Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). incubation. Between the 4th to 6th agripreneurs which will serve as Team B The Green Wealth Agripreneurs, fully months, the incubatees will initiate of the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) was resumed operations in June and have enterprises on modern farming and established. started trying their hands on value marketing. From the 6th to 9th month of addition of some of the staple crops incubation, the value addition enterprise The new agripreneurs known as the after embarking on various educational and youth outreach programme will be Green Wealth Agripreneurs were visits to some farms and agribusiness initiated. Starting from the 10th – 15th selected after a 3-day workshop enterprise within the South West region month, experiential learning across core organized by IYA for the 2015 National of Nigeria. enterprises conducted with rotational Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in IITA. responsibilities and tasks will begin. Among the value added products The period will also experience the The Green Wealth Agripreneurs who being developed by the Green Wealth beginning of business plans. are the incubatees of IYA will undergo Agripreneurs is Sneh Balls which is a training with IYA for eighteen months snack made from soybean and coated During the 16th – 18th month, it is after which they will develop a with high quality cassava flour. The expected that the business plans and convincing business plan that will enable product which was launched on 19 loans should have been completed. At them have access to a loan to establish August is currently going through this point, the incubatees should have their own agribusiness enterprise. series of palatability tests to make it been able to map out a clear definition acceptable in the Nigerian market. There of their business enterprise. This is the This effort is part of IYA’s goal to re- are prospects of exporting the product point where incentives will be given for orient youths towards more productive outside the country as it is another business startups. engagements in agriculture through substitute for peanut. expanded opportunities, market The Director General of IITA, Dr Nteranya oriented agriculture and service Using the Youth Agripreneur Groups Sanginga while advising the new group, provision. (YAG) guidelines, the incubatees will talked about the opportunities available receive both classroom and practical for the youth across the agriculture value During the workshop, the youth corps trainings on the mandate crops of the chain. He enjoined them to embrace were taken through series of activities, IITA by the capacity building arm of agriculture as a business and bring in values, and the core techniques involved IYA within the stipulated time of their innovative ideas that would lead to the in agribusiness. incubation. establishment of more agribusiness enterprises. With over 80 participants who attended The YAG guideline is a document written the workshop and indicated interest in and compiled by Dr Paul Wommer and the program, 30 of them were selected members of the Capacity Building unit of after series of interviews and screening. IYA to serve as an operational guide for The 30 who were chosen based on merit the incubatees. With the YAG guideline, @GWAgripreneurs are currently making use of the old IYA the incubatees during an initial 3 months office at the FAO yard in the International will begin training on agribusiness and

www.youthagripreneurs.org page 3 Meet the Green Wealth Agripreneurs ADUNOYE OLUYEMI VICTORY country. I see this IYA program as a IITA, Ibadan. Agriculture is a sector that I studied Crop platform for me to be fully equipped will always remain relevant because we Production and with the knowledge, expertise and eat every day. By joining the program, I Protection from experience needed to manage and hope to build my capacity in every area Obafemi Awolowo sustain an agribusiness venture, thereby of agribusiness. University, and I creating an avenue to also empower was posted to IITA local women and youths in general. OGINNI YETUNDE where I served at ODUNAYO Genetic Resource CHIANU ANDREW I studied Center (GRC). I CHIDIEBERE Agricultural believe agriculture in Nigeria can be I studied Agric Extension and Rural better than where it is presently. I Economics and Development from believe being in this system will provide Extension from Federal University the right exposure and experience of Agriculture needed in my field and even beyond it. I University of Abeokuta, and aspire to be one of the top agripreneurs Science and Nigeria has ever produced. served at the Cassava Weed Science Unit Technology. I of IITA. The opportunity of being part of AZUNNAYA VICTOR IFEANYICHUKWU was posted to IITA for my NYSC where I the Green Wealth Agripreneurs (GWA) worked with the Social Economics Unit. has presented taking on the challenge I am a graduate The program will equip me with the to unlearn what I knew, and re-learn of Food Science necessary skills to becoming a successful how agriculture must be practiced and and Technology agripreneur and being at the forefront of explored as a business. It is my Dream to from Michael agricultural development. become an accomplished agripreneur, Okpara University playing basic role in eradicating extreme of Agriculture, poverty and hunger by creating Jobs, Umudike. I worked DANIYAN OLUWAFUNMILAYO with High Quality I studied English wealth, and healthy affordable farm Cassava Flour Language at the produce. Value Chain Project unit during my one University of . year national service at IITA. I joined the I was posted to IITA OBAILA TIMI ABRAHAM IYA program because it will help me in where I worked with achieving the dream of becoming a tool the Community I am a graduate for advocacy for youth in agriculture, and Resource Center of Agricultural also owning my agribusiness venture. Unit. This is a rare Economics and opportunity for Rural sociology ADEDIGBA ABISOLA TEMILADE youths and for me as a person, and I hope from Niger to make the best use of it. Delta University. I’m a graduate I was posted of Law from the to IITA where I University of HASSAN HALIMOT served with the Ibadan and the OMOTOKE Nigerian Law I am an EDIT Project (JIRCAS). Agriculture has School. I worked Electronics/ never been a dream course right from in the Project Electrical Engineer, childhood due to the myopic view and Administration and attended mindset we heard about it. Green Wealth Office of IITA, Ladoke Akintola Agripreneurs has changed this mindset Ibadan. I look forward to getting a University of and enlightened me that agriculture has hands-on experience in agribusiness Technology a lot of entry points and hidden treasures and at the same time, fine-tuning my (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, . I that are unknown to many. interest in Agricultural and Food Law. worked with the Supply Chain and the Telecommunication/ICT Units of IITA. I ONI WAHEED ADIGUN MODINAT ADENIKE am proud to be part of the initiative, which is to mitigate unemployment, I am a graduate I am a graduate of hunger and poverty in Africa. of Agronomy Water Resources from Ladoke Management from Akintola University OKUNLOLA FESTUS OLUWADAMISI Federal University of Technology, I am a graduate of of Agriculture, Ogbomoso. I Plant Breeding and Abeokuta, Ogun worked with the Seed Technology State. I worked Agronomy unit from the Federal with the EDIT Project (JIRCAS) unit of IITA, Ibadan University of of IITA during my National Youth during my NYSC program. Being an Agriculture, Service Program. Agriculture has been agronomist has really exposed me to Abeokuta. I something of inheritance with lots of the great impact agriculture can play worked with the unpleasant experiences especially in in sustainable development of any Cassava Unit of areas of marketing and post harvest ...Continue on page 5 www.youthagripreneurs.org page 4 ... From page 4 handling. After attending series of through the speech of the AfDB ONI HAMMED ADEDAPO workshops, seminars and trainings President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina. But I am a graduate organized by IYA, I got motivated this further grew after attending the of Plant Breeding and challenged to be part of the three-day entrepreneurial workshop on and Seed world changers in agriculture. I really agribusiness, production techniques, Technology from appreciate the relentless efforts and and processing conducted by (IYA). Federal University the interest of Dr Nteranya Sanginga I was inspired seeing other youths of Agriculture in seeing the youth maximising their venture into agriculture. Abeokuta. I potentials through agriculture. served with OJONIYI OLADOYIN the Cassava Breeding unit, IITA. This OGUNWOLE OMOTOLA DORCAS I am a graduate golden opportunity to pass through I am a graduate of Animal IYA incubation will make my dream of Agriculture Nutrition from of becoming one of the foremost from Ahmadu Federal University successful agripreneurs a reality. Bello University, of Agriculture Zaria. I served at Abeokuta. I ONYENDI CHITURU NGOZI the Banana and served with the I am a graduate Plantain unit (IITA). International of Agricultural I see agriculture as Livestock Research Economics from a key player in the Michael Okpara economy and my passion for agriculture Institute (ILRI). I want to be fully equipped with all agricultural practices, product University of grew after this discovery. The drive to Agriculture be my boss and an employer of labour advertisements, value added marketing strategies and sales of finished product. Umudike, Abia is another fascinating thing about State. I was posted agribusiness though it’s dirty, the cash to IITA where I is cool. I see myself owning one of the served with the Cassava Transformation biggest agro-processing factories in the ICHEKU OKWURUMEYA next few years. Agenda (CTA). I am glad to be part of the I am a graduate young agripreneurs who will successfully of Sociology change the orientation of youths, rural MUSTAPHA ISMAIL from Covenant farmers and the government about ADEMOLA University. I served agriculture through value addition. I am a graduate with the Cassava of Statistics from Transformation OLUWASEUN DEBORAH ADEDEJI the Agenda (CTA), University (EKSU). IITA, Ibadan. My I am a graduate I was posted to interest in GWA of Agricultural Economics and IITA during my is to be a part of the agribusiness team Extension from National Youth and be financially independent. I hope Federal University Service Corps (NYSC) where I worked at to be equipped with entrepreneurship of Technology the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) skills needed for maximum success in Akure (FUTA), unit. agribusiness. . I did After my NYSC, I participated in a OLADOKUN IBUKUNOLUWA my Industrial 3-day entrepreneurial workshop on OLUFUNMI Training (IT) with the Cassava Breeding agribusiness and production techniques unit of IITA and my NYSC with the organised by IITA Youth Agripreneurs I am a graduate of Agricultural Cassava Transformation Agenda (CTA) (IYA). I joined the program in July, project also in IITA. 2015 and has since been exposed to a Extension and Rural wide range of opportunities inherent The call to join the agripreneurs was in agribusiness. My dream job is to Development from the University good and timely so I responded gladly establish an organization that believes to it. We are in the era where the nation in youth of diverse backgrounds. of Ibadan. I had my NYSC at and Africa at large is falling back to the International Institute of Tropical agriculture as a means to sustain the OJERINDE HAMMED ADEMOLA Agriculture (IITA) under the Cassava economy. I am happy to be a part of the Weed Management unit. movement. Big thanks to the Director I am a graduate General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga for of Purchasing It used to be “Agriculture is the future” believing in us. and Supply from now it’s glaring that the “future” has The Polytechnic SESUGH TERVER come to stare us right in the face. Thus, BENJAMIN Ibadan, Oyo state. it becomes imperative as a youth to I was posted to actively participate in this course of I studied IITA during my eradicating hunger, unemployment accountancy NYSC where I and poverty using agriculture. I am very at the Benue served at Supply privileged to be part of this revolution State University Chain Unit (SCU). I was inspired to and hope to achieve these and much and served with embrace agriculture as a business more through the GWA platform. the Cassava

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Transformation Agenda (CTA) unit Agriculture is and ADEDEJI LUKMAN IFEDOLAPO of IITA. I am from and will continue to I graduated from coming from a state where agriculture be the world’s Federal University is practiced, I was very excited and source of food of Technology motivated after a workshop organised production and a Minna , by IYA which changed my perception strong source of with a degree in about agriculture. I have learnt I can raw materials for a Mathematics and practice it as a very profitable business. lot of industries. If Computer Science. Being part of this programme, I have a youths relent or are I was posted to very positive feeling about it, because not encouraged to IITA for my NYSC, it has not only proved the fact that go into agriculture, what do we expect where I served with the Monitoring and wealth emanates from the soil , but also of the future? I see agriculture as a great Evaluation Unit (M&E) for a year. I got undoubtedly promises a bright future gift to mankind but serious efforts have interested in IYA after the 3-day training for the youths of Nigeria. not been put in place to extend our that was held at IITA. I was able to see innovations, discoveries, inventions to agriculture as not just for people in the the farmers so as to boost yield and rural areas but as a business; a way of keep our industries functioning. reducing unemployment and poverty. TINUOLA ADEDOKUN At the end of this program, I hope to I studied have a broad knowledge in setting up Accounting at YUSUF ISMAIL BABATUNDE agribusiness enterprises so as to employ the I studied people (reduce unemployment) and at University, Osogbo. Agriculture and the same time reduce poverty. I was posted Bio-resource to IITA where I engineering at the OYEBAMIJI OLUWAFEMI TEMIDAYO worked in the Federal University I am a graduate Supply Chain Unit. of Technology, of Plant Breeding I participated in Minna. I was and Seed the 3-day entrepreneurial workshop on posted to Oyo agribusiness, production technique and State for my NYSC Technology from processing organized by the (IYA) which Federal University and my place of primary assignment was of Agriculture opened my eyes to a lot of benefits in IITA Ibadan. I served in HarvestPlus for agriculture. It is a great privilege to be Abeokuta, Ogun the remaining 11months of my service state, Nigeria. I part of this wonderful group (Green year. Wealth Agripreneurs). It has given was posted to IITA me the opportunity to diversify and I joined the program Green Wealth Ibadan where I served with the Cassava appreciate how profitable agribusiness Agripreneur because it basically deals Breeding Unit while observing my one can be. with youth from diverse disciplines year national call to service (NYSC). synergising to achieve great goals in The youths are a strategic tool in the agriculture. From the program, I want to agriculture revolution currently on-going ADEOLUWA ADURAGBA TITILAYO learn how to be self reliant, agribusiness in Africa. I see a chance to unlock and inclined, get connected with technical tap into the riches in agriculture. I am I studied French advisers, and improve my dexterity convinced that this program will equip at the Ekiti State technology wise in the agricultural me with all the skills necessary to seize University (EKSU). sector. this opportunity. I served with the Cassava Weed OYENIYI OYELEKAN Management ADEWOLE ADEDAMOLA ELIZABETH Project (CWMP) of I studied I studied the International Economics at microbiology at Institute of Tropical Bowen University. Bowen University, I was posted Agriculture (IITA) in obedience to the Nigeria. I answered to IITA where I my national call clarion call of the National Youth Service answered my one Corps (NYSC). to service at year national call IITA’s Business I seek to expand my knowledge horizon, to service at the Incubation while I bridge the language barrier HOTCAT unit. Platform (BIP) between the youth agripreneurs and I strongly believe that as long as this where I worked the Francophone agriculturists with my drive for development in agriculture with the Nodumax Unit. I believe this translation experience and lots more. continues, problems of poverty, agripreneurs program will broaden unemployment and income inequality my knowledge in agriculture and will be addressed. the challenges in it, in order to know VERONICA MAGAJI the appropriate research to carry The Nigerian economy will be better for out in agribusiness. It will also help I graduated from Federal University it. I am here to develop entrepreneurial me with skills to influence youths by of Technology Yola, with a degree in skills and enjoy the benefits of mentoring them on the great benefits of Agricultural Economics and Extension. teamwork. agriculture to the world.

www.youthagripreneurs.org page 6 IYA premieres debate on agriculture innovative ideas that would change the face of agriculture.

Speaking against the topic, Waheed stressed that youths are impatient and are not likely to have the ability to manage the risks involved in agriculture. The risks highlighted during his presentation include drought and flood, disease and pest, slow returns on investment and unfavorable government policies.

Using the IYA’s case as an example, Oyindamola who also spoke in support of the topic said, if youths were given the necessary support and training with a change in mindset, they could earn a living in agriculture and increase their income from zero dollars to 500 dollars per month. While adding that other sectors of the economy also needed agriculture to survive.

IYA debaters; Ibironke Ifedayo (L), and Osaaju Oyindamola (R) On his part, Ifedayo who argued against the topic said attitude change in youth is Prior to the debate between the Director the agricultural sector is the only sector not measurable. He argued that, youths General of IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga; which has the capacity to absorb the are active, dynamic and vibrant while and Prof James Sumberg, a Research large number of unemployed youth agriculture according to him is passive, Fellow with the Institute of Development due to the various opportunities which static and uninteresting. Studies; the IITA Youth Agripreneurs are available along the agriculture (IYA) organized a debate to express the value chain. She added that the aging At the end of the debate, participants youth’s view on the topic; “Agriculture population of the farmers in Africa is voted in support of agriculture being is a Sector of Economic Opportunity for another reason why youths should be a sector of economic opportunity for Youth in sub-Saharan Africa.” given the chance to explore and bring youth in sub-Saharan Africa. The debate, which was first of the kind in the history of IITA, was aimed at enabling youths express their views on the topic to be debated by Dr Sanginga and Prof Sumberg at the summit. The debaters, Ogunwole Dorcas, Oni Waheed, Ibironke Ifedayo and Asaaju Oyindamola who were selected from the GreenWealth Agripreneurs and IITA Youth Agripreneurs argued extensively for and against the topic. Moderated by Dr Eric Koper, the debaters during the session made presentations showing statistics to support their arguments for and against the topic. During her presentation, Dorcas who spoke in support of the topic stated that about 20 million youths enter the labor market in Africa yearly. She stressed that A cross-section of the participants casting votes during the debate Agripreneurs promote products at HarvestPlus food fair HarvestPlus Nigeria organized the first- awareness and stimulating the demand HarvestPlus and IITA in trying to address ever Nutritious Food Fair in Nigeria, on for nutritious food. The Vice President the issue of malnutrition in children and 4-5 November 2015 at the IITA station of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, women. The Head of the IITA station in in Kubwa, Abuja. Tagged; ‘Closing the Yemi Osinbajo who was represented Abuja, Dr Gbassey Tarawali in his remarks Nutrition Gap: Prospects for Bio-fortified by Arch Sunday Echono stated that the during the opening ceremony, said, “IITA Food’, the food fair was aimed at creating government recognized the effort of supports the vision of HarvestPlus to

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Representative of HarvestPlus, Paul Ilona stated that the organization has reached out to over 1 million farmers in Nigeria.

He thanked IITA for supporting HarvestPlus in its bid to develop more nutritious varieties of staple food crops that provide higher amounts of vitamin A, iron, or zinc which he identified as most lacking in diets globally. IITA Youth Agripreneurs from Ibadan and Abuja had the opportunity to display, create awareness, and market linkages for their various products which were on display at their exhibition stand during the food fair. Stakeholders in the agriculture sector who visited the Akinsiku Damilola (L)showcases product to the Deputy Director (Gender and Youth), Federal agripreneurs’ stand commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Karima Babangida (R) at the stand of IITA youth for embracing agriculture as a Youth Agripreneurs during the exhibition business. develop more nutritious food crops in Speaking on the activities and the order to foster healthy living and fight progress recorded by HarvestPlus on malnutrition in Africa.” bio-fortification in Nigeria, Country

IYA develops a new website

IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) has place where youths can educate donors, available in agribusiness. Through launched a new website with the vision investors, government, and farmers this platform, detailed information to serve as an umbrella interaction about the investment opportunities about IYA and also success stories, platform for agripreneurs in results, impacts and lessons learnt other hubs. The website was during the years of operation would created as a means to create be shared. Publications and other visibility for their activities. educational materials on agriculture The IITA Youth Agripreneurs and agribusiness will be uploaded for designed the online easy access and download by members platform to encourage of the public. Consumers will also have positive perception about the opportunity to buy IYA products on- agriculture for the youth. line through the e-commerce platform The website serves as a For more, visit the IYA website: www.youthagripreneurs.org that will be added to the website.

Hire for Phenotyping

DJI Inspire 1 and Phantom 2 vision + for research purposes. IITA Youth drone camera are two flying cameras Agripreneurs offers this service at an recently acquired by the IITA Youth affordable cost. Agripreneurs. It is one of the latest technologies adopted by the youth For enquiries on booking and rent for capturing aerial pictures and video contact: documentation of field activities. The Dare 07038587093 OR flying camera can take an aerial view Evelyn 08054096374 picture and video of fields and also Email [email protected] monitor the growth of crops especially The DJI Inspire 1 drone

Writers/Contributors: Michael Nathaniel, Lamidi Funmilola, Adefioye Adedayo, Adenmosun Adetola, Ibironke Ifedayo, Asaaju Oyindamola Layout/design Adefioye Adedayo This newsletter is produced by IITA Youth Agripreneurs in Ibadan, the IITA Kalambo Youth Agripreneurs (IKYA) and the GreenWealth Agripreneurs Editors: Godwin Atser ([email protected]) and Osunde Timilehin ([email protected])

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