Youth in Sustainable Agriculture - IITA

27/04/2026

We recently held an informative interaction with over 300 yam farmers drawn from the Abaji Area Council of the . The discussion focused on sustainable farming practices, how to identify quality yam seeds and ways of accessing modern technologies.

Facilitated by 's PROSSIVA, which is a project dedicated to research and delivering innovations to address seed system bottlenecks, the Outreach focused on three main areas:
✳️ Advantages of certified yam seeds and how to source them
✳️ Best practices for yam cultivation and seed management
✳️ Proven techniques for increasing yield & reducing disease risks

The participants also received certified IITA’s yam seeds (improved varieties) to boost their yields and share with other farmers in their community for wider adoption of the improved seeds.

We believe that when farmers have access to sound knowledge, quality inputs, and they adopt best practices, better results follow. This is the goal of our outreach programs.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria
IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs
Bopinc

16/04/2026

With the strong demand for fresh fish and growing market for smoked fish export, there is something for everyone in the aquaculture value chain.

At , we have several trained youths doing well in fish production and value addition, and so we continue to advocate increased involvement of young people in agriculture, not as a mere activity, but as a business.

Join us!

08/04/2026

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨?

“How can I raise money to start my idea; how do I source reliable market for my produce to avoid postharvest losses; which agricultural commodity and value chain offer the fastest returns?…” These were some of the many interesting questions posed by students and staff of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo during our agribusiness advocacy at the institution recently.

One of our Business Development experts at IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs, supported by other team members, answered all the questions to the satisfaction of the audience. Here are the highlights of the presentations and responses:

✓ Develop a viable idea and start small with your money

✓ Do your survey and identify your market before you start, not the other way round

✓ Embrace training in your chosen field; money without knowledge might end up a waste

✓ Join credible cooperatives; it eases access to loans, markets and aids collaborations

✓ For quick returns, consider leafy and fruity vegetables, maize, and other short-cycle commodities and value addition

✓ Take advantage of improved varieties to maximize your yield

✓ Adopt sustainable and climate-smart practices

✓ Don’t do agriculture as an activity, do it like a business that it is

✓ Don't let access to land stop you, start from your backyard or use sacks (as applicable)

Regardless of course of study or profession, agriculture has proven to be a viable pathway for and .

At YAS, we remain commited to supporting young people to embrace agriculture and thrive in it.

The future is green!



International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria
Bopinc

30/03/2026

It was a harvest of networking and fruitful interactions for the and her participants who attended the recently concluded Nigeria fair in Lagos.

The fair, co-organised by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria, provided a rich platform for stakeholders across the food value chain, including growers, equipment manufacturers, service providers, trainers, offtakers, storage facility operators and seed suppliers, to have productive engagements.

Unlike in the past when the project exhibited products on behalf of participants, this time round, in addition to the project's exhibition stand, six of our participants, Paul James Eteudo, DistinctionFarm, Ajagun Joshua Dammy, Zamdayu Precious, Olatunji Azeezat, and had their respective stands, where they showcased their items and interacted with other exhibitors and visitors.

Many thanks to the Netherlands Embassy for this opportunity and the unrelenting support.

For the sake of food security and efficient food systems, let’s keep the collaboration going!

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Bopinc
IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs

27/03/2026

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

Last night, one of our participants, Olatunji Azeezat, emerged as one of the four finalists in the competitive 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, courtesy of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria.

Though she didn’t win the top prize, her emergence as a finalist is a reflection of her resilience, hard work, and innovation in the horticultural sector, especially the macro-propagation of plantain and banana suckers using modern methods. This has made access to clean, quality suckers easier and cheaper for farmers in her environs in the FCT and beyond.

Her exploits in the agro space and outreach programs have continued to inspire other youths. Thus, we are encouraged to keep supporting the youth to not only thrive in agriculture but also be exceptional.

We celebrate and every young farmer adding value to our food systems out there.

The journey is just getting started!

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Bopinc
IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs

24/03/2026

𝑨𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆

Recently, we trained and select in in and . From to those in the , , and and , the participants had a lot to learn and unlearn.

Courtesy of support from Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria, the were taught different suitable for catfish rearing, pond preparation and , density, monitoring to ensure the well-being of the , best practices and how to identify and source healthy , which is a very critical factor in every production cycle.

Being a densely populated city with competing needs for , the training included how participants can practice , whereby they can run the business at their , , inside , and ponds.

The programme, held at the Abuja Station of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), gave the participants the opportunity to visit the fishpond and processing facilities on the premises.

Now and in the future, remains a good source of , and for families, about 600 million people globally, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

is no longer a pastime; it is a profitable venture that everyone, especially young people, can benefit from.

The future is green. Join the movement!

IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs

16/03/2026

𝑂𝘶𝑟 𝑖𝘯𝑝𝘶𝑡 𝑑𝘪𝑠𝘵𝑟𝘪𝑏𝘶𝑡𝘪𝑜𝘯 𝘵𝑟𝘢𝑖𝘯 𝘮𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘴 𝘵𝑜 𝑂𝘺𝑜 𝑆𝘵𝑎𝘵𝑒

In continuation of our distribution to participants, the young farmers in trained in different commodities and value chains received various items to enable them to their enterprises and their operating costs. The participants were trained in their localities, including , , , and .

With support from Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria, the items distributed included , , , , chicks, improved , , rechargeable , planters, sealing machines, and .

At YAS, we understand the critical role of input support and therefore restate our commitment to equipping our participants with the they need to their enterprises, their livelihoods and food availability in their communities.






IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs
Bopinc

13/03/2026

In line with our efforts to their expansion plans and help them minimize , the YAS Project distributed various and to the trained in , , , , , and in the .

The distributed items included improved varieties of , , , , , improved varieties of stem, planters, knapsack sprayers, electric , defeathering machines, , fish , stone grinders, improved varieties of , and ForceUp , which helps to control stubborn weeds, grasses and sedges.

Courtesy of support from Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria, the input support was in addition to the intensive technical and business , and other forms of support and opportunities provided the participants, all aimed at ensuring that their enterprises remain competitive and .

The participants expressed their gratitude for the support, with a promise to make good use of the items.



IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs
Bopinc

08/03/2026

𝑰𝒏 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎

On this special day of celebrating women, the YAS project celebrates the immense contributions of women to food systems, through , that widens product variety, , , and provision of specialized .

At YAS, we are proud of the resilience, passion and exploits of women who have participated in our training, outreach, advocacy and mentoring programmes.

In line with the theme; ‘ . . . ,’ we continue to promote inclusion and support for women to thrive in agribusiness, courtesy of support from Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria.

Join us on this amazing journey of empowering women for a better society.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs
Bopinc

27/02/2026

In , the we trained in select commodities recently received our input support, courtesy of support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Nigeria.

The items distributed to them ranged from NPK to , , and improved varieties of . In addition to and , we continue to position our young agripreneurs as the for the innovations emerging from IITA and sister organisations.

For instance, the maize farmers among the participants received and , both of which are improved varieties of this important cereal. The Sammaz 15 guarantees improved up to 23 per cent more than the average variety, to pest and the crop is ready for harvest 100 to 110 days after . In addition, it is highly to lodging; it has good ear and plant aspects; and excellent husk cover.

Similarly, the Sammaz 50 guarantees tolerance to drought and Striga hermonthica, which is a notorious parasitic plant that damages the roots and affects the soil.

At , we are proud to be contributing to the and of our participants’ enterprises, and this input support is one of our adopted channels.

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Bopinc
IITA YOUTH Agripreneurs

06/02/2026