IFAD, FG Train 697 Youths in Ondo Agribusiness Programme

News in brief:

—IFAD and the LIFE-ND Project trained 697 young farmers across nine LGAs in Ondo State in agribusiness and enterprise management.

—Participants received technical training, monthly stipends and are expected to receive grants to establish businesses in poultry, fishery, cassava, cocoa and vegetable production.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger-Delta (LIFE-ND) Project, has enrolled and trained 697 young farmers in Ondo State as part of efforts to tackle food shortages and promote agribusiness development in Nigeria.

The state project coordinator, Dr Olawale Ademola, disclosed this during a learning route programme for incubates under the additional financing phase of the LIFE-ND Project held at Nibanola Farms in Ondo Town.

Ademola, represented by the IFAD State Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Mr Gbenga Agbotoba, revealed that the 697 incubates were selected from 49 communities across nine local government areas in Ondo State.

He explained that the learning route programme was organised to expose participants to practical agribusiness environments, strengthen technical skills and improve their focus on enterprise development.

“Today, about 30 incubates were drawn from Akure North, Akoko North-West, Owo, Ondo East, Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs to participate in a learning route programme,” he stated.

Programme Covers Multiple Agribusiness Value Chains

According to Ademola, the trainees had already undergone training in different agribusiness enterprises, including cassava production and processing, cocoa farming, fishery and poultry production.

He said the initiative was designed to expose young farmers to practical knowledge while building their capacity in enterprise management and value chain development.

“The 697 participants were enrolled in November 2025. Some were trained for one month while others underwent training for three months, with each participant receiving a monthly stipend of ₦50,000,” he stated.

He added that the project is making arrangements to provide grants and support packages to enable the trainees to establish businesses and apply the knowledge acquired during the programme.

IFAD Encourages Youth Participation in Agriculture

Ademola urged more Nigerian youths to embrace agribusiness as a viable and profitable career path rather than depending solely on white-collar employment opportunities.

He identified areas such as cocoa production and marketing, cassava processing, poultry farming, fish production, vegetable cultivation and agricultural processing as viable opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

“Young farmers can engage in agribusiness such as cocoa marketing, production, cocoa nursery production, cassava production and processing, poultry production, fish production and vegetable farming. It will benefit both the farmers and the country at large,” he explained.

Farm Manager Urges Youths to Embrace Agribusiness

The General Manager of Nibanola Farms, Mr Segun Akinbinuade, encouraged participants to develop the right mindset towards agriculture and view agribusiness as a sustainable and profitable enterprise.

He urged Nigerian youths to explore opportunities in agriculture instead of focusing entirely on white-collar jobs.

One of the participants, Adebukunola Olowolagba, a poultry farmer from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, commended IFAD for empowering young people through agricultural training initiatives.

She said the visit to Nibanola Farms had inspired her to remain committed to growing her poultry business through persistence and consistency.

Similarly, another participant, Salaudeen Isiaka from Isuada in Owo Local Government Area, said the programme had encouraged young farmers to venture into agribusiness with confidence, noting that successful farming businesses could be established with modest capital and proper training.