The National Agricultural Development Fund is advocating for a stronger focus on skills acquisition in the Agri-Tech sector to boost agricultural productivity and generate job opportunities for Nigerian youth. At a recent stakeholders’ roundtable on Nigerian Youth Development held in Abuja, NADF’s Executive Secretary emphasized the need to combine agricultural knowledge with emerging technologies to equip youth for the future workforce and tackle food security challenges.
In support of NADF’s efforts, the Director-General of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation praised the organization’s commitment to enhancing Agri-Tech skill development in Nigeria. He expressed satisfaction in backing NADF’s initiatives in this regard.
Highlighting the abundance of opportunities for Nigerian youth in agriculture, particularly in the expanding Agri-Tech industry, Ibrahim pointed out that despite the rapid evolution of technological advancements in agriculture, the sector has not fully embraced these innovations. He stressed the significance of Agri-Tech in bridging the gap between technology and agriculture, underscoring its untapped potential.
Ibrahim, drawing from his industry experience, shared insights from establishing two successful Agri-Tech companies. He noted NADF’s active role in closing the skills deficit in agriculture by creating training frameworks aligned with global standards. This includes a collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education to implement a program focusing on crucial skills like soil science, veterinary medicine, and digital mapping necessary for modern farming.
NADF is gearing up to launch a pilot program across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, offering tailored agricultural skills over six days to address the unique agricultural needs of each region. Ibrahim also highlighted NADF’s approach of balancing commercial and social funding models to alleviate financial pressures on smallholder farmers and youth entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable agricultural development and employment opportunities.