One inventive method of providing young people in Nigeria with agricultural start-up and training is the Young Africa Works-IITA project.
The Young Africa Works-IITA Project was launched in May of this year by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Mastercard Foundation. The goal of this project is to give approximately 40,000 Nigerian youth, particularly women, access to agribusiness opportunities. Its main goal is to give young people the tools they need to enhance their abilities, find good jobs, and start their own business so they can work in the agri-food value chains for the next five years with dignity and fulfilment.
The Young Africa Works-IITA initiative collaborates with partners across multiple industries.
- To improve youth agricultural education.
- Give young people, especially women, the skills they need to build successful businesses in agriculture and agroprocessing and to compete more effectively for respectable jobs.
- Work with financial institutions that understand the unique needs of young people who are borrowing money for agriculture to develop youth-sensitive loan programmes and agribusiness support services.
- Convert youth vocational training facilities into youth agribusiness parks where young people can access opportunity, workspace, and experience learning.
In order to increase their capacity to receive training and work within the supported value chain of rice, soybean, maize, cowpea, poultry, vegetable, mushroom, groundnut, fish, and cattle, the Young Africa Works-IITA initiative is presently accepting applications from residents of Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos.
The training and project will centre on;
Tracks for Employment and Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship Track: Several businesses and profitable agriculture models that appeal to young people have been identified under the curriculum. By the end of this training track, this will help the target beneficiaries create a bankable business plan. To make it easier for people to access credit and funding sources, the Young Africa Works-IITA project has worked with financial institutions like NIRSAL and Sterling Bank. The project will make post-training support more accessible.
Employment Track: This training attempts to better match these two interests because the programme is aware of the skills gap that exists between young people and future employers. This will be carried out through mentorship and commercial internships to further enhance skill development and obtain better employment. Youth who take part in the employment-track training will be provided assistance to find decent jobs through professional placement services.
Qualifications for the Young Africa Works-IITA initiative
- Aged 18 – 35 years.
- Must be ordinarily resident in the respective municipal area (and live within 5km radius of a cluster).
- Must have attained at least Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3) for entrepreneurship track & a diploma for employment track.
- Willingness to commit at least 6 weeks for the training.
- Must demonstrate passion for agriculture.
- Interest in the project focus commodities.
- Must have access to a functional mobile phone.
- Affiliation to a registered association is an added advantage.
Upon successful completion of the training programme, a certificate will be awarded.
Young Africa Works-IITA project application process
To apply, click HERE.
-Application forms can be gotten at the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority, 371 Oko-Oba, Agege Motor Rd, Agege, Lagos.
-IITA office, located in the Zaria, Kaduna State, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) office complex.
-The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is located in Kano State on Sabo Bakin Zuwo Road.
In order to determine which beneficiaries will be given priority for the training, a follow-up interview may be done.
Contact: youngafricaworks-iita@cgiar.org
For additional details, click this link.
The Young Africa Works-IITA project
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