Di Federal Ministry of Youth Development, wey dem dey call FMYD, don join hand with International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, IITA, to launch di National Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund, wey dem dey call YiALTF.
Dis initiative na to helep improve land access and unlock opportunities for over 500,000 young Nigerians wey dey build sustainable agribusiness enterprises.
First City Monument Bank, FCMB, dey support dis initiative, wey dey address one major barrier wey young agripreneurs dey face—access to land.
Di fund also dey create pathways for financing, enterprise development, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
Speakin at di launch, di Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, tok say dis initiative na major step towards transformin youth participation for agriculture and positionin agribusiness as key driver of economic empowerment.
Earlier, di Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, describe di launch of di Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund as a testament to Nigeria’s collective commitment to empowerin di next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthenin di country’s agricultural sector.
He say di initiative go break down longstanding barriers to land ownership and access, creatin an environment wey youth-led agribusinesses fit thrive.
Representin FCMB at di event, di Divisional Head, Agribusiness and Non-Oil Export, Kudzai Gumunyu, reiterate di Bank’s commitment to supportin initiatives wey make agriculture more attractive, profitable, and financeable for young people.
“Di future of Nigerian agriculture depends on how well we structure financing and support systems around di realities of young people and di sector. Agriculture must be presented as a modern, technology-driven business offerin opportunities for logistics, processing, commodity trading, mechanisation, digital platforms, and innovation,” he tok.
