by Aliyu Bello | Nov 10, 2024 | NABG, News, Partnership, Projects, Uncategorized
We’re thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the Women And Young Farmers Agripreneurs Regional Conference (WAYFARC) in Enugu, South East Nigeria! The event brought together a vibrant gathering of agribusiness innovators, women and youth leaders, and agricultural professionals. It provided a space for dynamic discussions, inspiring panels, and hands-on workshops aimed at empowering agripreneurs and strengthening the agribusiness sector in the region.
This year’s WAYFARC in Enugu emphasized emerging opportunities for women and youth agripreneurs, focusing on creating value, fostering collaboration, and building resilient businesses. We’re excited to highlight a new opportunity in partnership with Value4Her, dedicated to accelerating business growth for women agripreneurs in Nigeria. For more details on this incredible opportunity, visit the link: AMI x NABG Value4Her Business Growth Opportunity for Women Agripreneurs.
While WAYFARC has achieved great milestones so far, it’s not over yet! We’re heading to Jigawa next, and we encourage everyone in the North West region to get ready for an inspiring and impactful experience. Stay tuned as we continue to connect, empower, and drive positive change across Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape.
Thank you, Enugu, for the warmth and energy! We look forward to seeing even greater strides as WAYFARC journeys through Nigeria.
by Aliyu Bello | Nov 8, 2024 | Agribusiness, NABG, News, Partnership, Projects
Are you a female agripreneur looking to elevate your business? Join the AGRA-AMI Women Agripreneur Empowerment Program, Value4her, supported by the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG). Access the tools, skills, and networks essential for growth. This fully funded program offers virtual workshops, hands-on business labs, and connections with industry experts across Africa, all designed to help women agripreneurs overcome unique challenges and expand their businesses.
Applications are free.
For an NABG recommendation, tell us more about yourself and your business.
Application Form
by Amrah Aliyu | Sep 21, 2024 | Projects, News
What is WAYFARC?
WAYFARC, which stands for Women and Youth Farmers Agripreneur Regional Conference, is a groundbreaking initiative brought to you by the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) alongside Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This innovative program is designed to empower women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWD) to explore and thrive in the agribusiness sector across Nigeria’s six regions.
At NABG, we understand that agriculture is more than just farming—it’s a critical driver of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. Through WAYFARC, we are offering aspiring agripreneurs the tools, knowledge, and real-world connections needed to unlock their full potential in the agribusiness ecosystem.
Why WAYFARC Matters
In a world where unemployment and poverty are pressing challenges, especially among women and youth, agribusiness offers a transformative solution. WAYFARC goes beyond the traditional concept of agriculture by focusing on the entire value chain, including production, technology, and policy advocacy.
This initiative aims to:
- Empower underrepresented groups like women, youth, and PWD to become active participants in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
- Connect participants to real-world opportunities in agribusiness, from small-scale farming to large-scale ventures.
- Promote innovation by showcasing how technology, such as digital platforms and agricultural innovations, can revolutionize agribusiness and make it more accessible.
What WAYFARC Offers
The WAYFARC conference is more than just a conference; it is a movement aimed at creating a new generation of agripreneurs who are well-versed in the latest agricultural practices, policies, and technologies.
The conference features:
- Workshops and Panel Discussions: Hear from successful agripreneurs who have made their mark in the industry. These sessions will focus on the opportunities in production, processing, and agritech that can drive Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
- Technology Integration: Through Virtual Reality (VR), you will get to learn how emerging technologies are helping to shape the future of farming. Participants will get a first-hand experience of how technology can increase productivity and efficiency in agriculture.
- Policy Education: Gain valuable insights into Nigeria’s agribusiness policies, learn how they can support your ventures, and how you can advocate for better policies to foster sustainable growth in the sector.
- Real-World Networking: WAYFARC will feature interactive spaces such as an Open Marketplace and a Policy Booth, providing you with the opportunity to connect with agribusiness stakeholders, policymakers, and fellow agripreneurs.
WAYFARC: A Nationwide Initiative
One of the unique features of WAYFARC is its nationwide reach. The conference will be hosted in one state per region across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. By targeting grassroots communities, the initiative ensures that underserved populations, particularly unemployed youth and women, have access to the resources and education they need to succeed in agribusiness.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your existing agribusiness, WAYFARC provides the platform to grow your network, expand your business, and make a real impact in your community.
WAYFARC Event Dates and Locations
Here’s the schedule of events:
- Lagos: October 18th – 19th, 2024
- South South (Akwa-Ibom): October 30th and 31st 2024.
- South East (Enugu): 8th and 9th November 2024.
- North West (Jigawa): 19th and 20th November 2024.
- North East (Adamawa): 4th and 5th December 2024.
- North Central (Kwara): 12th and 13th December 2024.
Scan the Barcode to Register for WAYFARC Now!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of Nigeria’s agripreneurship revolution. Register now for WAYFARC and take the first step toward building a successful, sustainable future in agribusiness.
[Registration Link]
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Learn More:
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- Learn more about NABG’s efforts to promote agricultural development: NABG Initiatives
More Resources:
Why Attend WAYFARC?
WAYFARC is not just another conference; it’s a game-changer for anyone interested in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.
Here’s why you should attend:
- Get Inspired: Hear real-life success stories from women, youth, and PWDs who have built thriving agribusinesses.
- Learn From the Best: Gain insights from industry leaders and policy experts on how to navigate the agribusiness landscape.
- Explore New Technologies: Witness the role of innovation in agriculture and how tools like VAR can transform your business
Through these regional conferences, WAYFARC is bringing its transformative vision directly to grassroots communities. We are ensuring that underserved populations, particularly unemployed youth and women, have access to the resources and education they need to succeed in agribusiness.
Get Involved!
Don’t wait! Scan the barcode or click the link to register for WAYFARC and start your journey in agribusiness today. This is your chance to be part of Nigeria’s Agripreneur revolution.
#WAYFARC2024 #NABG #Agripreneurship #WomenInAgriculture #YouthInAgribusiness #InnovationInAgriculture
by iKml1 | Jul 15, 2024 | Projects
Background:
The Strengthening Advocacy for Small Scale Producers (SSPs) Project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and implemented by the Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG), aims to improve the livelihoods of Nigeria’s 40 million small-scale producers. Most of these producers are subsistence farmers with an average farm size of less than a hectare and productivity levels among the lowest globally. This has left them economically unviable, financially excluded, and vulnerable. Recognizing these challenges, the SSPs Project focuses on advocating for institutional reforms and policies that enhance the viability and competitiveness of small-scale producers, ensuring inclusive sustainable growth.
To achieve these goals, the SSPs Project involves several key components designed to strengthen NABG’s capacity and advocacy efforts. One significant initiative is the establishment of a Policy Analysis Intervention Fund. This fund will support policy studies, inform policy recommendations, develop a knowledge platform for policy reports and documentation, and disseminate information to stakeholders. Additionally, the project will support the development of a five-year strategic plan for NABG, create cross-learning opportunities for the NABG team, and provide technical staff to enhance the potency and effectiveness of the NABG secretariat.
Developing a robust NABG membership platform is another critical component of the SSPs Project. This will be achieved through presidential roundtables and national economic council meetings, serving as key outlets to advocate for the development and implementation of national and state-level agribusiness policies. These policies will focus on the productivity of small-scale producers, and gender and youth inclusion. The project will also foster off-taking opportunities with major industry players for commodity aggregation, promoting a win-win culture for both the off-takers and the smallholder farmers, thereby increasing the income of the latter.
Furthermore, the SSPs Project will work on developing commodity standards and ratings in collaboration with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). The focus will be on reviewing, approving, and publishing standards and ratings for key commodities like vegetables, maize, and soybeans. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and marketability of these commodities, benefiting both producers and consumers.
A pivotal aspect of the SSPs Project is the advocacy for a national integrated agribusiness agenda. This agenda will serve as a roadmap for engaging small-scale producers and developing Nigeria’s agribusiness environment. NABG will use platforms such as the Presidential Roundtables and the Nigeria Governors Forum to advocate for this agenda, which will inform the development of future national or sub-national plans for the agriculture sector, including the proposed Medium-term National Development Plans (2026-2030), Nigeria Agenda 2050, and state government agricultural agendas. By leading the development of this agenda in collaboration with key stakeholders in government, the private sector, and associations, NABG aims to drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring that small-scale producers become viable and competitive players in the market.
by iKml1 | Jul 7, 2024 | Projects
Background
MIRA Nigeria was implemented under a grant awarded by AGRA to NABG for the period from February 15, 2016 to October 31, 2018.
The MIRA project aims to measurably improve policy and regulatory enabling environments for private sector investment in local agribusinesses that serve smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
The expected project outcomes include:
- Government buy-in to the need for regulatory reforms.
- Reform regulations drafted, reform regulations approved, approved regulations implemented.
- Raising the private sector awareness of domestic and international private sector investors of the reformed regulations in Nigeria.
- National policy systems have skills to track and improve investment conditions facing agribusiness in fixing the agricultural value chains.
- National policy systems have budget resources to track and improve investment conditions facing smallholder agribusinesses in value chain development and for the private sector to be formally recognized and well-represented in agricultural policy structures and processes.
The project objective is focused on planning and coordination to achieve the following specific objectives:
- Strengthen the demand by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and other relevant government agencies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reform policies and regulations that unintentionally limit smallholder private sector investments in agribusinesses and value chain development.
- Support FMARD and the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s effort to reform policies and regulations that limit smallholder private sector investment in agribusinesses and value chain development.
- Promote reformed policies and regulations to raise awareness and to attract local and international private sector investors of the improved agribusiness enabling environments in Nigeria.
- Enhance the capacity and commitment of FMARD and the Federal Government of Nigeria’s to continuously review, assess and reform policies and regulations that limit smallholder private sector investment in value chain development activities.
The project activities are focused on the following:
- Coordinate activities to strengthen FMARD, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s demand for regulatory reforms, by supporting efforts to identify and assess regulations that unintentionally limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains
- Coordinate activities to support the FMARD, Federal Republic of Nigeria’s efforts to reform policies and regulations that limit smallholder private sector investment in value chain development
- Coordinate activities to promote reformed policies and regulations to attract local and international private sector investors, in order to raise awareness about improved agribusiness enabling environments in Nigeria
- Manage activities to enhance the capacity and commitment of FMARD and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to continuously review, assess and reform policies and regulations that limit smallholder private sector investments in value chain development
by iKml1 | Jul 7, 2024 | Projects
Background
The Country Agribusiness Partnerships Framework (CAP-F) is a mechanism for establishing effective public private engagement to create agribusiness partnerships in a country. It facilitates the alignment of private sector investments commitments with public sector policy/infrastructure obligations and provides a mechanism for all parties to hold each other accountable for their obligations.
In the absence of strong policy alignment and coordinating structures within the sector to support value chains, private sector investment intentions do not always translate into commercial value chain activities. Such linkages are important in generating shared value and ensuring long-term collaboration among sector players. Grow Africa is currently working towards addressing these issues using a CAADP tool called the CAP-F.
CAP-F is was implemented under a grant awarded by AGRA for the period of April 20, 2021 to April 14, 2022 (13 months) to the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) to carry out the project titled, “Support the implementation and operationalization of the Country Agribusiness Partnership Framework (CAP-F)” (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Project’).
The project aimed to mobilize private sector organizations to invest in and support the implementation of the Government of Nigeria’s Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP). Private sector engagement is expected to enhance:
- Agriculture as a business and enable NABG to facilitate public private dialogues (PPDs) that mobilizes domestic and foreign private sector investment in the agriculture sector using agriculture as a driver of economic growth.
- Enterprise development of commodity value chains for crop, livestock and fisheries sub-sectors especially around input supply, production, storage, processing/utilization, marketing and consumption.
The milestones for the project included;
- Increased mutual accountability in the agriculture sector
- 3 agriculture sector working group meetings achieved in 2021
- 1 agriculture sector working group meeting achieved in 2022
2. Identification of innovative rural development solutions identified and documented
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- 1 rural development solution identified and documented in 2021
3. Knowledge management products developed
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- 9 knowledge management products developed in 2021
4. New partnerships formed among value chain actors
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- 15 new public-private partnerships formed to drive specific aspects of the value chain at regional, national and sub-national levels
