Women and youth constitute a significant yet underutilized segment of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce. Systemic barriers limit their access to land, resources, finance, training, and market opportunities, hindering their full potential and contributing to a less dynamic and inclusive agribusiness sector.

Vision: NABG envisions a Nigerian agribusiness sector where women and youth are empowered actors, driving innovation, productivity, and economic growth across the value chain.

Strategic Objectives:

1. Increase Access to Resources and Services:
   
   • Land Rights: Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote secure land tenure rights for women, including joint titling with spouses and facilitating access to communal lands.
   • Financial Inclusion: Collaborate with financial institutions to develop gender-sensitive and youth-friendly loan products with flexible repayment structures and provide financial literacy training.
   • Market Access: Facilitate linkages between women and youth-led agribusinesses and market players, including supermarkets, processing companies, and export channels.
   • Technology & Information: Promote access to digital tools for women and youth, including mobile applications for market information, weather forecasts, and best practices in agriculture.
2. Enhance Skills and Knowledge:
   
   • Training Programs: Design and deliver targeted training programs on agribusiness management, financial literacy, marketing, and the application of climate-smart practices.
   • Mentorship & Networking: Develop mentorship programs connecting experienced agribusiness professionals with women and youth entrepreneurs.
     
   • Knowledge Sharing Platforms: Establish platforms for knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning amongst women and youth in agribusiness.     
3. Empowerment and Advocacy:
   
   • Leadership Development: Provide leadership training and capacity-building programs focused on women and youth, fostering their confidence and participation in decision-making processes within agribusiness organizations and cooperatives.      *. Policy Advocacy: Advocate for government policies that address gender and youth inequality in the agricultural sector, promoting equal access to resources and opportunities.
   • Awareness Campaigns: Raise awareness about the critical role of women and youth in agribusiness through media campaigns, workshops, and public events.

Key Activities:

• Partnerships: Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, development organizations, research institutions, and private sector players to implement programs and initiatives.
• Data Collection & Research: Conduct research to identify specific challenges faced by women and youth in different agribusiness sub-sectors and regions to inform program design.
• Success Stories & Role Models: Showcase success stories of women and youth entrepreneurs in agribusiness to inspire and encourage others.
• Capacity Building for NABG Staff: Train NABG staff on gender mainstreaming and youth inclusion principles to ensure their work effectively addresses the needs of these demographics.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and track progress towards achieving SO 4 objectives.

Expected Outcomes:

• Increased participation of women and youth in all segments of the agribusiness value chain.
• Improved access to land, resources, finance, and market opportunities for women and youth in agribusiness.
• Enhanced skills and knowledge among women and youth entrepreneurs in agribusiness.
• Increased leadership roles for women and youth in agribusiness associations and cooperatives.
• More gender-sensitive and youth-inclusive policies within the Nigerian agricultural sector.
• Increased overall productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of the Nigerian agribusiness sector.

Sustainability:

• NABG will work towards building the long-term capacity of women and youth-led agribusiness organizations and networks for sustainable growth and impact.
• Fostering strong partnerships with key stakeholders will ensure the continuation of initiatives beyond NABG’s direct involvement.
• Advocating for policy changes that promote gender equality and youth inclusion in the agricultural sector will create a more enabling environment for these demographics to thrive in the long run.

Conclusion:

By actively strengthening women and youth in agribusiness, NABG contributes to a more inclusive, equitable, and dynamic agricultural sector in Nigeria. Empowering these demographics not only improves livelihoods but also unlocks their vast potential to drive innovation, food security, and economic growth for the nation.