Youth in Agribusiness Archives

Study shows way to influence youth performance in agripreneurship

To address the challenge of unemployment in Africa, it is imperative that governments across the continent tackle factors responsible for impeding youth engagement in agribusiness. There has been much controversial discourse about whether the youth population surge across the African continent is a ticking time-bomb or a blessing in disguise. A study under the IFAD-sponsored…

Awe Community seeks to strengthen public-private partnership to enhance youth participation in agriculture

IITA has a culture of promoting good relationships. In Oyo State, IITA continues to build on its partnership with the government and people of the State in agriculture and agribusiness activities. Over the years, past and present governors and other groups in the State have collaborated with IITA to boost economic development through agriculture. A…

Zambian President commends IITA’s youth-in-ag initiative

Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) recently facilitated an exhibition program with the theme: “Crop diversification and alternative food”. A team of young people under the ENABLE-TAAT compact of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation participated in the event to showcase the modern cassava value chain technologies. Zambian Head of State, His Excellency, President Edgar Chagwa…

ENABLE-TAAT backed startups flourish in Kaoma

On a recent tour of startup activities by ENABLE-TAAT trained youth in Kaoma District, Zambia, IITA Southern Africa Research and Administrative Hub (SARAH) Director, David Chikoye, commended youth agripreneurs for their flourishing enterprises. Chikoye visited the startups to monitor their work and progress. The 2-day visit allowed for in-depth interaction between the Director and the…

Access to infrastructure can increase youth engagement in agriculture

Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the youth unemployment rate is among the world’s highest. While graduate unemployment is a major concern for the Republic of Benin’s government, a study carried out under the IITA–CARE project—sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) across 10 African countries—explored factors that can influence the country’s youth to venture into agribusiness. Despite the opportunities for self-employment…

Joint agribusiness park activities commence in Oyo State, Nigeria

IITA and Oyo State have commenced activities on an agribusiness center in Awe, Oyo Town. On 7 October, the project’s Joint Committees’ meeting agreed to change the center name from Rural Community Development Center (RCDC) to IITA-Oyo State Agribusiness Park Center, Awe. Earlier, IITA’s Facilities Management Services (FMS) commenced construction work at the processing center,…

Visit of ECOWAS Directorate of Agriculture to IITA-Abuja reignites partnership

The Director of Agriculture and Rural Development of ECOWAS, Alain S.Y. Traore, and other members of staff visited IITA–Abuja to familiarize themselves with the activities of the Institute in the Nigerian capital. The visit is the first despite both offices being in Abuja for many years. The Head of IITA-Abuja, Gbassey Tarawali, and the scientists at the station organized an interactive session for the ECOWAS delegation to showcase the different projects operating there. In his welcome remarks, Tarawali expressed delight about the visit, the…