Nigeria’s agricultural sector faces significant challenges due to climate change, including erratic rainfall, increased temperatures, and soil degradation. These issues threaten food security and the livelihoods of millions. However, amid these challenges lies an opportunity: engaging the nation’s youth in sustainable agriculture and AgriTech innovations to drive resilience and growth.
The Importance of Youth in Agriculture
With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, the youth represent a vital demographic for transforming agriculture. Their energy, adaptability, and familiarity with technology position them well to adopt and promote climate-smart agricultural practices. Engaging youth in agriculture not only addresses unemployment but also injects innovation into the sector.
Programs like the Youth Empowerment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) have been instrumental in this regard. YEAP offers access to funds, training, and mentorship for young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector, encouraging youth involvement in agribusiness.
AgriTech Innovations Led by Youth
Young Nigerians are at the forefront of AgriTech innovations, developing solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability. For instance, ThriveAgric, a youth-led enterprise, provides farmers with access to finance, premium markets, and data-driven farming techniques.
Similarly, Ecotutu, founded by young entrepreneurs, offers solar-powered cold storage solutions to reduce post-harvest losses. Their ‘pay-as-you-chill’ model allows smallholder farmers to preserve their produce efficiently.
Youth-Led Climate Action Initiatives
Beyond technological innovations, Nigerian youth are actively participating in climate action initiatives. Organizations like SustyVibes engage young people in environmental and climate action through campaigns focused on sustainability, eco-feminism, and climate education.
Moreover, the African Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge supports youth-led enterprises working on climate adaptation solutions, providing funding and recognition to innovative projects across the continent.
Government and Institutional Support
Recognizing the potential of youth in agriculture, the Nigerian government and various institutions have launched initiatives to support young farmers. The Profarmers & Agropreneurs Sustainable Scheme (P.A.S.S.) in Ondo State trains young graduates in the agricultural value chain, providing them with practical knowledge and resources to start their agribusinesses.
Additionally, the Lagos State Government’s ‘Agrithon 2025’ seeks to partner with youth-led startups to develop scalable solutions addressing food challenges, offering a platform for innovation and collaboration.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Access to land, finance, and markets remains a significant barrier for young farmers. Furthermore, limited awareness and training opportunities hinder the adoption of climate-smart practices.
To overcome these obstacles, stakeholders must:
Enhance Access to Finance: Develop youth-friendly loan schemes with fewer bottlenecks.
Provide Training and Mentorship: Establish more agricultural training centers and mentorship programs.
Improve Land Access: Reform land tenure systems to support youth access to land.
Promote AgriTech Adoption: Facilitate the integration of technology in farming practices through subsidies and training.
