In a renewed push to empower women and young people, several organizations and government partners are rolling out major agribusiness initiatives across Nigeria.
In Ekiti State, the Durian Foundation has trained more than 100 women and youths in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture at Iyemero-Ekiti, Ikole LGA. The programme equips participants with modern farming skills and extends support services such as healthcare, security, and financial aid. The foundation is also working on the creation of a “Durian Farm Village”, designed to anchor long-term opportunities in sustainable farming.
Similarly, in Kwara State, Oriyon International Limited, in collaboration with the state government, is preparing to launch the Economic Empowerment for Women and Youth in Livestock Agriculture (EEWYLA) project. Expected to begin in July 2025, the initiative will engage about 259,000 women and youths. Participants will be linked to veterinarians, agronomists, and extension officers to develop commercially viable livestock ventures with access to export markets.
At the federal level, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has pledged stronger government support for youth and women in agribusiness. During a visit to D’More Food and Spices, a subsidiary of Jet Farms Agro Solution Ltd in Nasarawa, the minister emphasized the importance of technology-driven farming, mechanization, and research-to-market systems to boost productivity and inclusion.
Together, these programmes signal a growing recognition that women and youths are central to transforming Nigeria’s agribusiness sector into a more innovative and sustainable driver of economic growth.