How do I start a business from scratch with no money, no credit and no expert friend to help?

How do you start a business without capital?

I have a few suggestions for you.  Assuming:
a) you have a believable business plan
b) you have a compelling value proposition for your customers
c) you are credible in the eyes of your future customers (i.e. they will believe you can realize your business plan so long as you get the start up funding)

1. Try getting customers to finance your start up.  Collect enough advance conditional sales orders to cover your start up costs, each one conditional until you have all the orders you need to fulfill your product/service promises.  Your fall back position: get Letters of Intent to buy if and when your product/service is built (meeting specified performance criteria within a time frame).

2   Try getting your suppliers to finance your start up.  They'll be more inclined if you have Conditional Sales Orders or Letters of Intent, as above.

3.  Look again at your startup costs.  Can you trim these?  If you have no other options, trade equity in return for materials and services you need to get started.

4. Consulting Revenue.  This is the way many start ups fund themselves while developing a product toward first release, and even after, until revenue from non-consulting sales are sufficient to carry all costs.

Not an exhaustive list, but perhaps there is a useful idea in this for you.  I assume you've already approached friends and family, and can't personally fund or bank finance your start up.

Source: www.quora.com

6 Crops that make you a millionaire quickly

Photo credit: millersbayfarm.com 

Everyone likes making smart quick money, Right?  Now if you’ve passion for farming but with limited capital and land, the crops listed below have been tested over time and have to be proved quick money makers. Giving them a try will definitely leave a land mark in your life as the returns are overwhelming.

Cabbages: Cabbages too have unending demand in towns.  Two acres of well managed cabbages, in any East African capital can earn you about US$ 5,800 with investment capital of about US$ 778.  You’ll need an experienced farmer to give you more information on how to go about it.

Onions: Planting onions is simple as planting beans but the returns are huge. Normally, a kilo of Bombay variety, one of the best varieties, costs US$1 and US$3 when prices are lower and higher respectively. According to research, an acre can give you 4000kgs and taking the lowest price (US$1), this will earn you US$3900 yet with less than US$390 invested capital. The market for onions locally and internationally is ever available.

Water melon: Are you aware that a big watermelon can cost US$5? The demand for watermelon is present in many towns of Uganda.  Smart middlemen are exporting them to Kenya and South Sudan for better prices. If you can be a regular supplier of melons, many hotels and restaurants in Kampala are ready to welcome you. You can make US$ 12,380 in three months from just growing two acres of these simple creepers. The estimated capital requirement is US$778. “When buyers find me in my garden, a small melon goes for less than a dollar while a big one goes for US$1,” an experienced farmer says.

Pumpkin: Pumpkins rarely miss on the menu in almost all hotels and restaurants you know in Kampala. But what’s surprising, you rarely come across a garden of pumpkins. This is a “virgin” area awaiting exploitation.  A single plant of pumpkin can produce over 100 pumpkins.  It is advisable to buy a pumpkin with a hard shell from markets and get out seeds to plant. An acre accommodates 784 holes. Each plant will produce between 10-30 pumpkins. The least price a pumpkin sells on the garden is US$0.4.  Considering 10 as the average, this translates into US$3,000 with an investment capital of about US$150.

Passion fruits: An acre requires 600-800 plants. Planting materials cost US$0.1 and US$0.4 for unspotted and potted ones respectively. Currently, a bag of local purple is selling at US$150 in local markets while the Kawanda type is selling US$100. In a well-managed acre, Kigoye, an expert, says a farmer can collect two to four bags of fruits a week for a period of 12 months for the two seasons. Taking two bags as the average, it translates into 96 bags of harvested passion fruit. And, taking US$60 as the average price per bag, a farmer would earn US$5,570, but when prices go up to US$150 during scarcity a farmer will pocket US$15,000.

Tomatoes: Sauce without tomatoes is not sauce to day! Even if it’s not fresh tomatoes, at least tomato sauce extracted from tomatoes will be applied. There are testimonies of people who are rich because of tomatoes.  To get maximum yield, one needs to be near a source of water like a river so as to grow tomatoes even in dry season, when the prices shoot up. If you don’t have land near Kampala, don’t worry because you can rent it at affordable rates. You just need to get a few tips from successful farmers and experts to kick start your poverty eradication campaign by growing tomatoes. With an investment capital of US$460, you can earn about US$1,900  if you sold at the lowest price.

Source: http://ea-agribusiness.co.ug/

Alake Lauds Oodua Youths Congress, Harps On Agric Entrepreneurship

Credit: Google Search

Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, has lauded the vision of the Oodua Youths Congress (OYC) which is to liberate Yoruba youths from impoverishment and engaging them to embrace self advancement through diverse entrepreneurial support and empowerment programmes, while also giving his support to the group.

The Alake commended the group when its leaders paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Ake, Abeokuta recently.

The monarch, who was highly impressed with the youths focus, especially coming at a time when millions of Nigerian youths are faced with uncertainties due to the alarming rate of unemployment, gave his full support to the various empowerment programmes of OYC particularly, the agric-business and entrepreneurship development programmes of the group which aims to support over 600,000 youths from the south-west region in the next two years.

Oba Gbadebo charged the youths leaders to remain focused in their bid to work Yoruba youths' way out of poverty and pledged his total support whenever needed.He called on government at all levels to invest heavily in Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he said, has capacity to generate millions of employments and huge revenue for government.

President of OYC, Ogbeni Moronkeji Oladapo, while thanking the Alake for granting them audience, noted that Yoruba youths have continued to face huge socio-economic challenges and felt it was time they led efforts to genuinely empower themselves.

He assured that the OYC is committed to reposition Yoruba youths for greater economic empowerment through deliberate engagement with stakeholders at various levels and increased access to decent employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, civic participation, and protection of vulnerable youths, health and innovative poverty eradication initiatives.

Oladapo revealed that "OYC is currently working with thousands of Yoruba youths through various empowerment programmes, such as agriculture, entrepreneurship, creative arts, job placement facilitation, career development, scholarship, and sport programmes.

"We are creating opportunities for Yoruba youths to better meet the demands of adulthood, be economically independent and become more productive Nigerian citizens".

He argued that with increased empowerment opportunities, young people have a better chance to work their way out of poverty, transform their lives and create a better future for their families and their communities and this is what OYC intends to make of Yoruba youths.

According to him: "OYC among other goals, aims to promote self employment and small scale business development as potent wealth generating initiatives for the Yoruba youths, we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to achieve this".

Speaking also, Mr Bode Olalekan, OYC's Deputy President, said further that the group is motivated by its strong belief in the capacity to galvanise the youths of various classes and replace their fear with hope through various empowerment programmes mapped out by the group.

On their agric programmes, OYC's Director of Agric-business, Mr. Alade Adesanmi, explained that "We intend to embark on innovative agriculture projects for the Yoruba youths. We will provide the necessary financial and training support that will encourage our teeming youths to embrace agric-business and help the existing farmers increase their crop yields, improve income and food security for their families and communities, and create jobs for their neighbors".

The Ogboye of Egbaland, Chief S.O. Akinremi, a retired cocoa farmer, who buttressed Alake's stand on the need to reposition agriculture in Yorubaland, said agric-business remains a goldmine that should never be ignored, adding that the various monumental edifices in the south-west today were constructed mainly with agric proceeds.

He therefore commended the initiatives of OYC and charged south-west Governors and other well-meaning Nigerians to support their laudable programmes.

Other Council members of OYC that were present include Wale Adebiyi, treasurer; Wale Popoola, director of programmes and Kayode Fapohunda. 

@OoduaYouthCon

(Daily Independent)

Nigeria: Northern Nigerian Farmers Worry Over Effect of Delayed Rainfall

Photo credit: firstwefeast

Nigerian farmers, especially those in the north have expressed fears that the delay in the rainfall being experienced this year may affect food production in the country.

Some of the farmers, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) are yet to commence planting due to lack of adequate rainfall.

Meteorologists had predicted that some northern parts of the country would experience delay in the arrival of rains this cropping season, while they were also advised not to rush to plant.

The farmers said the situation posed serious threat to food production in the region this year.

One of the farmers, Malam Baushe Talle, said: "Rain is a factor in plant growth, therefore, the greater the rainfall, the faster the seed grows and the higher the yield."

Another farmer, Malam Musa Abdu, stressed the need for government to provide farmers in the region with drought resistant seeds, to avert crop failure and ensure bumper harvest.

He said: "Farmers should also be educated on different farming techniques because of this kind of situation."

(Daily Independent)

US agric expo invites 150 Nigerians to participate in 2015 exhibition by Idris Alooma

A United State base organisation, the Sunbelt Agric Expo has granted permission to 150 delegates from Nigeria to participate in this year’s annual agric exhibition in order to showcase the country’s agricultural potentials to other participants from around the world.

Edwards & Adams, a Nigerian US based business entrepreneur said it secured the authorization of the Sunbelt Agric Expo to mobilize African participation in the 38th Agric Expo coming up in Moultrie, the state of Albani, USA between October 20 and 22, 2015.

It said the annual expo, which began over 30 years has witnessed participation of different world class Agric experts and professionals from all the continents of the world except Africa.

Messrs Edwards & Adams, according to its Nigeria partner Divine Communications Limited (DCL) said because of it concerned for the development of African economy, and poised to support President Mohammadu Buhari government drive to diversified Nigeria economy, it approached the Sunbelt Agric Expo organizer to secure inclusion of Africa in this year exhibition.

Managing Director of the DCL, Mohammed Yusuf told reporters that in order to achieve effective mobilization of participants from various countries of Africa, Edwards & Adams engaged it mobilize Nigerian participation.

He said, “For effective participation of Nigerian delegates, Divine Communications has secured Eight [8] exhibition stands out of twenty four [24] reserved for Africa, this will accommodate One hundred and fifty [150] delegates from both public and private sectors expected from Nigeria.”

According to him, “Delegates from Nigeria are expected to arrive USA on 18/10/2015 and will meet the Albani Chamber of Commerce and Agric the following day before the commencement of the Expo Which runs from 20-22 of October, 2015. On the 23rd of October,”

Mohammed explained that the Nigerian exhibitors will also be hosted by Irrigation center of the University of Georgia affirming that it will be a great opportunity and exposition to recent development on irrigation technology and application for optimal operation in Agribusiness.

Source: http://newsverge.com/

Why Buhari Must Sustain Adesina’s Legacy by LEKAN OLALERE

Former Nigeria's Minister for Agriculture: Akinwumi Adesina

Now that Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the immediate past minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has secured an election as the next president of African Development Bank (AfDB), we can conveniently lay to rest any speculation that he might be appointed to continue in that portfolio in the new administration. And that brings a real challenge of who continues the reforms he has worked assiduously to begin in the agricultural sector.

The remarkable change that has been spawned in that sector needs to be jealously guarded for the benefit of Nigeria. But, a big question as President Muhammadu Buhari is set to appoint his cabinet ministers is: who steps in to Adesina’s shoes? And if the ‘change’ that Buhari promised to unleash on Nigeria is truly to be expected, then that change which started under Adesina in the agricultural sector must be sustained, not reversed.

It is on record that, under Adesina as minister, Nigeria’s agricultural sector has become the toast of investors, home and abroad. It was Adesina’s reforms that started the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) programme which has placed the private sector investors, banks, donors, and the farmers, the entire country into worthwhile agricultural investments. The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme alone ensured that farmers got seeds and fertilizer to massively produce food to reduce our dependence on importation.

Under Adesina, ATA set Nigeria’s agriculture on a trajectory that, if sustained, would soon launch the country onto greatness. Reports on input distribution under ATA showed a rise from 1.5million farmers in 2012 to nearly 7 million farmers in 2014, reaching 14.5million farmers in just three years; Let’s imagine what the achievement will be in another four years of sustained growth along this line. By 2019, no fewer than 32 million farming households would have been reached at a rate of 8 million farming household per year.

Before Adesina, the agricultural sector was managed without clear yardsticks or measures. Adesina ensured the establishment of a know-your-customer programme. For the first time in the country’s history, a farmer database of over 14.5million farmers was amassed and used to efficiently deliver inputs and services to farmers.

Total number of verifiable farmers – complete with address, phone number, crop grown, etc, that redeemed farm inputs from 2012-2014 was 14.3million farmers. The northern part of Nigeria had never had it so good until Adesina came. In the input distribution scheme under GES, the north-western region of the country accounted for the highest redemption, 30% of the total, followed by the north-east (22%), north central (17%), south-south (12%), south-west (11%), and south east (9%).

ATA has set commodity value added chains of key staples in Nigeria on a path toward recovering our enviable position of the 1960s. To take a few examples: the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had it that rice paddy (raw material for milled rice) production was 5.3million mt in 2011, rising to 7 million mt in 2014 and poised to rise to 12 million by 2019 if ATA continues. Besides, rice mills are expected to add another 2 million mt of milling capacity by 2017 and end rice importation, thus removing the shame of a nation living near perpetually on imported rice.

According to NBS, Nigeria’s food import bill fell from an all-time high of N3.19 trillion in 2011 to N635 billion in 2013; a 403% reduction.

Direct farm jobs rose by 3.56 million in the period 2012 to 2014 due to interventions in agriculture.

The introduction of cell phones at first, and the later introduction of smart card technology (Near Feld Technology) to enable farmers combine access to inputs with bank cards and linkage– for financial inclusion and delivery of inputs, micro credit and loans to farmers, and identity management, was commendable. With its continuation, farm inputs, credit, and markets will greatly expand food and nutrition security of Nigerian farming households with improved livelihoods of farmers nationwide.

The June 20, 2015 edition of The Economist magazine, in an article on Nigeria titled ‘After Oil,’ stated that falling oil prices have left a deep hole in the government’s finances, but the economy is beginning to diversify. The magazine recognises the fact that investment in agriculture carries more promise compared to other sectors. This view from outside the shores of Nigeria is a pointer to where Nigeria must look in its quest for prosperity.

Dr Adesina’s new position as AfDB president will be one of great advantage to Nigeria if the reforms he started in agriculture are continued. With Adesina’s background in agriculture, and considering the strategic importance of Nigeria in Africa, we can safely expect Adesina to throw his weight behind a continued reform in Nigeria’s agriculture, which can easily become the largest recipient of development investment on the continent and can become a major launch pad for economic development in the continent. President Buhari has a good opportunity to make history by sustaining the reforms in agriculture, which he inherited from the previous administration. He therefore needs to appoint someone with passion, knowledge and competence to keep the reforms going.

Source: Leadership Newspaper

World population projected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050

The current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050, according to a United Nations report launched today, which points out that growth will be mainly in developing countries, with more than half in Africa.

“Although population growth has slowed for the world as a whole, this report reminds us that some developing countries, especially in Africa, are still growing rapidly,” said the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo in a press release on the report.

The report, World Population Prospects: the 2012 Revision, notes that the population of developed regions will remain largely unchanged at around 1.3 billion from now until 2050. In contrast, the 49 least developed countries are projected to double in size from around 900 million people in 2013 to 1.8 billion in 2050.

Compared to previous assessments of world population trends, the new projected total population is higher, mainly due to new information obtained on fertility levels of certain countries. For example, in 15 high-fertility countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated average number of children per woman has been adjusted upwards by more than 5 per cent.

“In some cases, the actual level of fertility appears to have risen in recent years; in other cases, the previous estimate was too low,” said the Director of the Population Division in the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, John Wilmoth, during a press conference in New York.

“While there has been a rapid fall in the average number of children per woman in large developing countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Brazil and South Africa […] rapid growth is expected to continue over the next few decades in countries with high levels of fertility such as Nigeria, Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Uganda but also Afghanistan and Timor-Leste, where there are more than five children per woman.”

Mr. Wilmoth added that changes in fertility rates over the next few decades could have major consequence for population size, structure and distribution in the long run.

The report notes that India is expected to become the world’s largest country, passing China around 2028, when both countries will have populations of 1.45 billion. After that, India’s population will continue to grow and China’s is expected to start decreasing. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s population is expected to surpass that of the United States before 2050.

Europe’s population is projected to decline by 14 per cent, the report states, and Mr. Wilmoth warned that the continent is already facing challenges in providing care and support for a rapidly aging population.

Overall, life expectancy is projected to increase in developed and developing countries in future years. At the global level, it is projected to reach 76 years in the period 2045-2050 and 82 years in 2095-2100. By the end of the century, people in developed countries could live on average around 89 years, compared to about 81 years in developing regions.

The report’s figures are based on a comprehensive review of available demographic data from 233 countries and areas around the world, including the 2010 round of population censuses.

Source: UN News

For more information: http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm

WAYS TO A RIGHT START IN AGRIBUSINESS

Leverage on the Skills and Knowledge (of your friends and associates): Involve trusted friends (vision or dream builders) in your endeavor. The world we live in is blessed with very blessed individuals and this offers us a win-win environment. Be willing to ask for help from friends who would be ready to do some tasks for you at no cost or a cheaper one.

1. Be Information Hungry: It is often said that “knowledge is Power”. As young people (with a so much passion, desire that finds Agriculture attractive), we need to be HUNGRY for relevant and credible information and resources. Sometimes this information opens up tips, opportunities and a large array of doors and networks that would be helpful. This brings us to the Power of the Social Media Networks. Merely following the research bodies like CGIAR, FARA, CIMMIT on twitter connects you to lot of information that would be invaluable.

2. Engage in Personal Development and Training: Everyday new findings and results are revealed or unravelled through researches. More knowledge is provided about value chains and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs in the sector. As young entrepreneurs it is important that you get the right trainings through workshops, conferences and specialised training classes. It could be a new method of cropping or livestock management or even soft skills and business management training. All these make us fit for the sector and ready to excel.

Join the revolution of Young Agropreneurs; our Nation and continent waits on us to turn things around.

Credit: FMYD, Nigeria.

Seventy-two countries achieve the MDG target to halve proportion of hungry people

Award ceremony recognizes global efforts towards eradicating hunger

Representatives of some of the 72 countries recognized today for achievements in tackling hunger, with FAO's Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

7 June 2015, Rome - An international awards ceremony today recognized the great effort made by countries around the world which has led to the near achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target to halve the proportion of hungry people by a 2015 deadline, or bringing it below the 5 percent threshold.

A majority - 72 out of 129 - of the countries monitored by FAO have achieved the MDG target, with developing regions as a whole missing it by a small margin. Out of the total 72 countries, 29 have also met the more stringent goal to halve the number of hungry people as laid out by governments when they met in Rome at the World Food Summit (WFS) in 1996.

And another 12 of the total 72 countries have maintained their hunger rates below 5 percent dating back to at least 1990.

FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva paid tribute to these achievements at the ceremony which was held at the Organization's headquarters.

"Since 1990, 216 million people have been freed from hunger," he said.

He noted however that almost 800 million people still suffer from chronic undernourishment. FAO defines this as a state of dietary energy deprivation lasting over one year.

Graziano da Silva urged for a redoubling of global efforts to combat chronic undernourishment.

"One out of nine people on the planet still do not have enough food to conduct active, healthy and productive lives. It is not acceptable," he said.

The year 2015 marks the completion of the monitoring period for the Millennium Development Goals which will be replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals currently being negotiated by the international community.

The Sustainable Development Goals will forge a global commitment that goes beyond the reduction of hunger seeking instead to totally eradicate it, the FAO Director-General said.

"If we all do our part, zero hunger can be achieved within our lifetimes. Together we can make this vision a reality," he said.

Latest countries to make progress receive awardsAt today's ceremony Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Costa Rica, Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic), Mozambique, Nepal, Solomon Islands, Suriname and Uzbekistan received an award for having reached the MDG target. They joined other countries who were awarded for reaching the target in previous years.

Angola, China, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Mali and Myanmar were awarded for having also achieved the more ambitious WFS.

The Prime Minister of Gabon, Daniel Ona Ondo, and the Vice Premier of China, Wang Yang, received diplomas on behalf of their countries at today's ceremony.

Other dignitaries in attendance included: President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, Prime Minister of Djiboutim, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, Prime Minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Niger, Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Everard Gonsalves, and Prime Minister of Tunisia, Habib Essid.

Moving from the reduction of hunger to its eradicationThe UN State of Food Insecurity in the World 2015 (SOFI 2015) report released last month noted that countries that have made progress in fighting hunger have enjoyed stable political conditions promoted inclusive economic growth and the development of agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

Many also had policies in place aimed at promoting and protecting access to food.

Social protection - a key factorThe report noted how enhancing the productivity of small-scale family farmers -- including women and young people -- and strengthening social protection mechanisms are key factors for promoting inclusive growth, along with well-functioning markets.

In contrast, conflict, political instability or natural disasters - including those stemming from climate change - often result in protracted crises that add to vulnerability and food insecurity, the report said.

Strong political commitment, respect for basic human rights and the integration of humanitarian and development assistance are necessary to address such crises, it stressed.

Source: http://www.fao.org/

N20.9bn agric fund for farmers in Nigeria, 11 other nations

Nigerian small-holder farmers and those from 11 other Africa countries are to benefit from the Global Environment Facility, an innovative N20.975 billion ($106.5 million) pilot programme for fostering sustainability and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The twelve African dry-land countries are Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Niger, Kenya, Senegal, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Uganda.

According to GEF, these dry-land regions face the greatest threat of environmental degradation in small-holder farms, and are therefore well placed to harness good practices for sustainability and resilience such as soil and water conservation, diversification of farmlands, and integrated management of crops and livestock.

Farmer

GEF financing for the programme will be driven by the priorities of participating countries, primarily in the context of baseline investments addressing the needs of small-holder farmers. The programme, it was further learnt, will enable creation or strengthening of institutional frameworks to promote integrated approaches in small holding agriculture; promote scaling-up of interventions for sustainability and resilience; and ensure effective monitoring of ecosystem services and global environmental benefits through application of innovative tools and practices.

Mr. Richard Lerisien Lesiyampe, GEF council member from Kenya in endorsing GEF’s integrated programmatic approach said:

“The whole world must develop a framework for food security; this working programme is so significant it will go into the annals of the GEF.”

The Global Environment Facility said the innovative $106.5 million pilot programme for fostering sustainability and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa is in response to the growing pressure to transform African agriculture through intensification with high inputs and high yielding varieties that will likely undermine sustainability of the natural capital.

According to the body, “By integrating environmental priorities at scale, the programme, entitled Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa will enable smallholder farmers in the dry-land regions of Sub-Saharan Africa ensure the sustainability and resilience of production systems”.

Naoko Ishii, CEO and Chairperson of GEF said: “Sustainability of the natural capital — land, water, soil, trees, and genetic resources — that underpin food and nutrition security, must be ensured by bridging the gap between traditional and modern farming practices. Smallholder agriculture, which accounts for more than 70 percent of agricultural production in Sub-Saharan Africa, can benefit from a holistic approach to management of natural capital.”

It was learnt that the total GEF financing of $106.5 million will be supplemented by $805.36 million co-financed from the governments, development agencies, foundations, international organizations, and the private sector. IFAD is the lead GEF agency for the programme, and seven other GEF agencies — CI, FAO, IFAD, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, and the World Bank — will support the individual country projects.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/

African bank joins in push to encourage young farmers

KAMPALA, Uganda - The African Development Bank, Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa (AGRA) have joined efforts to combat increasing youth unemployment in Africa through agribusiness incubation. 

The joint initiative is coordinated by African Development bank under the theme ‘Enabling Youth for employment. The purpose of the programme is to create options for youth engagement in agribusiness, increase financing mechanisms and networking opportunities for youth engagement in agribusiness, trade and investment along agriculture value chains

The vice President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Mr. A. Abou-Sabaa and Director Agriculture and agro industry Mr. C. Ojukwu  in a press statement said the bank’is committed  to support private sector engagement in agribusiness and their interest to explore all options for youth focused job creation in partnership with national, regional and international development partners.

FARA UniBRAIN model was identified as one of the successful agribusiness incubation models in Africa and the World with practical options for sustainability, wealth and job creation in Africa 

But the Bank called upon FARA to work closely with other partners in up scaling and sustaining the initiative in the 54 African countries under its new programme-African Agribusiness Incubation Programme (AAIP) 2016- 2020. 

FARA will work closely with African Development bank during the implementation of Agriculture and agribusiness strategy 2015 to 2019 in Africa and UniBRAIN model will leverage other continental initiatives propelling agriculture transformation forward.

“FARA will join efforts with AGRA and IITA in delivering ENABLE programme in 20 African countries. In the partnership, FARA UniBRAIN will focus on incubating incubators and linking them to African Agribusiness Incubators Network and other global platforms for mutual benefits and synergy building,” said Dr Yemi Akinbamijo the Executive Director of FARA in the statement.

http://www.busiweek.com/

Making Agriculture “Cool” for Youth by Danielle Nierenberg and Sarah Small

Agriculture has an image problem. Simply put, for the majority of the world’s youth, agriculture simply isn’t seen as being “cool” or attractive. Most think of it only as back-breaking labor, without an economic pay-off — and little room for career advancement.

With an ageing population of farmers, it’s clear that agriculture needs to attract more young people. This is a global challenge: half the farmers in the United States are 55 years or older, while in sub-Saharan Africa, the average age of farmers is around 60 years old.

“The exodus of rural youth means fewer small-scale farmers tomorrow, potentially drastically changing the profile of farming,” according to a recent report by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The U.N. International Labour Organization predicts that, globally, there will be 74.2 million unemployed young people this year, an increase of 3.8 million since 2007. Youth unemployment is both a threat and an opportunity. The agricultural sector offers huge potential for job creation. Realizing this can radically change the image of agriculture among young people.

And agriculture’s image among young people is changing—from Brooklyn, New York to Nairobi, Kenya—where youth are now turning to farming and the food system as a viable career path.

“Increased access to education and new forms of agriculture-based enterprise mean that young people can be a vital force for innovation in family farming, increasing incomes and well-being for both farmers and local communities. Young people can transform the agricultural sector by applying new technologies and new thinking” said Mark Holderness, Executive Secretary of the Global Forum for Agricultural Research (GFAR).

Agriculture means more than subsistence farming - today, young people can explore career options in permaculture design, biodynamic farming, communication technologies, forecasting, marketing, logistics, quality assurance, urban agriculture projects, food preparation, environmental sciences, advanced technologies, and more.

Farmers, businesses, policy-makers, and educators need to promote agriculture as an intellectually stimulating and economically sustainable career—and make jobs in the agriculture and food system “cool” for young people all over the world.

A resurgence of interest among young farmers is happening and it’s vital to support this growth.

In collaboration with GFAR, Food Tank has compiled an exciting list of organizations working with young people around the world to make agriculture and agriculture-related work more appealing and change public perceptions so that agriculture is not just seen as cool, but is recognized as a vitally important career.

In the United States, the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project works to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. The farmer training program helps young farmers learn what it takes to run a small farm operation from business planning to specialized advanced workshops in livestock and healthy food.

And in southeastern New England, the Young Farmer Network hosts “Young Farmer Night,” a series of free regular social and educational events that bring farmers of all ages and experience levels together to network and collaborate.

U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden recently announced resources and policy changes to improve the financial security of new and beginning farmers and ranchers. This includes a new website that will be a one-stop resource where farmers and ranchers can explore the variety of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives designed to help them succeed.

Last year in Africa, Joseph Macharia started a Facebook page, “Mkulima Young,” to encourage youth to engage in agriculture. The page serves as a social forum for youth, a place to ask questions, and create agriculture networks. Macharia posts photos and inspirational stories of farmers to empower youth in his community.

In Kenya, Uganda, Antigua, and Barbuda, the Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) foster market demand for sustainable food while also providing youth with tools to begin growing their own sustainable food. JFFLS goal is to empower vulnerable youth and provide them with skills needed for long-term food security.

Farm Africa began a farm training program for rural youth, growing vegetables, mushrooms, and passionfruit in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. They teach students how to get the best price at market and encourage them to get involved in local governance.

The European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) is the “voice of Europe’s next generation of farmers.” CEJA’s main objective is to support the renewal of generation in the agriculture sector by being a platform for information and education exchange.

The International Movement of Catholic Agricultural and Rural Youth (MIJARC) has 2 million young rural people as members, contributing to and promoting the sustainable development of agricultural and rural areas all over the world, to make rural areas attractive and viable for young people.

The Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) began a new program of training, capacity building, and promoting young farmer-leaders under age 35 in Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, Antigua, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Vincent. Fifteen of the participants have started blogs to share ideas and opinions on the agriculture sector including,Nyamekye Mapp of Tobago, and her search for agrifootsoldiers.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Rural Youth Talents Programin South America seeks to publicize and share knowledge from lessons learned in rural youth agriculture programs. The goal is to establish and strengthen networks of youth involved in food and agriculture, as well involve more youth in the field.

The South Asia Youth Camp on Agriculture and Water mobilizes youth between ages 18 and 36 to influence government leaders to take action on climate change and responsibility for agriculture and water. The camp brings together youth to share opinions, ideas, take action, and protect the rights of smallholder producers in South Asia.

And education is changing too:

The Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations in Agriculture and Life Sciences (GCHERA) brings together over 600 agricultural universities, involving around a million students per year. GCHERA is working to change university curricula around the world, to make agriculture-based courses more attractive to young people and more relevant to the skills and opportunities they now seek.

The Earth University in Costa Rica works to prepare future leaders with ethical values to contribute to the sustainable development of the tropics. Their courses include both work experience sessions and students developing and running their own agribusinesses through the class.

Wageningen University in the Netherlands has, over the last decade, completely redefined its courses to meet the needs and priorities of today’s young people. Wageningen now focuses on the theme ‘healthy food and living environment’ and works closely together with both governments and the business community.

Also, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) is an international movement of nearly 8,000 young professionals, a vibrant network, both online and on the ground, inspiring young people into a wide range of agriculture careers and to play active roles for innovative agricultural development.

These projects and many other initiatives, programs, and people are making agriculture cool again. What programs do you know about that are making agriculture more appealing to younger generations? Let us know!

The Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) brings together all those working to strengthen and transform agricultural research for development around the world. During 2014 and the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF), GFAR is working with Food Tank to showcase and raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by smallholders and help identify efficient ways to support family farmers.

Source: http://foodtank.com/news/2014/07/making-agriculture-cool-for-youth

Agric must be treated as business, says President Buhari

Farm workers on farm Image: Reuters

TO enhance the capacity of the agricultural sector to ensure food security, President Mohammadu Buhari has promised to treat agriculture strictly as business.

Buhari, who declared open the 55th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) yesterday, described agriculture as a good alternative to oil.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals, Baba-Umar Farouk, the President challenged participants at the conference to come out with useful recommendations that would advance Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He further charged the private sector to participate in developing agriculture in the country because, “Nigeria has huge agricultural potentials with over 84 million hectares of arable land, of which only 40 per cent is currently cultivated.

“The country has some of the richest natural resources for agricultural production in the world. The urgency of unlocking our agricultural potentials is even more pertinent because Africa spends $35 billion annually on food import. Agriculture must seize from being treated as development programme and henceforth be treated as business.”

Meanwhile, a researcher in the field, Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, has advocated greater participation of women and Nigerian youths in the nation’s agribusiness.
In his keynote address at the occasion, the executive director of Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), said that women in particular play critical role in agricultural development in Nigeria.

According to him, “women are the pillars of economic growth and development considering their predominant role in agriculture, which is the backbone of most African economies.

“Hence, NACCIMA should deliberately engage and support opportunities in agribusiness that offers equal participation and benefits to women and youths.”

Source: www.ngrguardiannews.com

10 Facts About Women And Hunger

Women have a crucial role to play in defeating hunger. As mothers, farmers, teachers and entrepreneurs, they hold the key to building a future free of malnutrition. Here are ten facts on why empowering women is such an important part of the World Food Programme's (WFP) work. Please help WFP raise awareness by sharing these facts on Twitter.

Photo credit: http://neerajbhushan.com/

1) Protracted crises undermine food security and nutrition. Women are more likely than men to be affected, and their access to aid can be undermined by gender-based discrimination.

2) Yields for women farmers are 20-30 percent lower than for men. This is because women have less access to improved seeds, fertilisers and equipment.

3) Giving women farmers more resources could bring the number of hungry people in the world down by 100-150 million people.

4) Surveys in a wide range of countries have shown that 85-90 percent of the time spent on household food preparation is women’s time.

5) In some countries, tradition dictates that women eat last, after all the male members and children have been fed. 

6) When a crisis hits, women are generally the first to sacrifice their food consumption, in order to protect the food consumption of their families.

7) Malnourished mothers are more likely to give birth to underweight babies. Underweight babies are 20 percent more likely to die before the age of five. 

8) Around half of all pregnant women in developing countries are anaemic. This causes around 110,000 deaths during childbirth each year.

9) Research confirms that, in the hands of women, an increase in family income improves children’s health and nutrition.

10) Education is key. One study showed that women's education contributed to 43 percent of the reduction in child malnutrition over time, while food availability accounted for 26 percent.

Source: http://www.wfp.org/stories/10-facts-women-and-hunger