Source: Business Day
The Farmers for the Future (F4F) initiative, aimed at empowering young agricultural entrepreneurs, has invited National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to apply for N10 million grants. This initiative, funded and created by the British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Foundation in partnership with the NYSC, reflects the foundation’s dedication to engaging youth in sustainable agriculture.
The foundation highlighted that this program, designed for NYSC members, seeks to make agribusiness appealing, tackle youth unemployment, boost youth participation in agriculture, and stimulate economic growth.
The BATN Foundation stated, “Participants must be active NYSC members during their service year, with eligibility confirmed during the shortlisting and selection process.”
Prospective applicants can submit their applications via the BATN Foundation Mobile app, available for download on the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store. The application period for the Farmers for the Future program begins on August 26, 2024.
“This program offers young agripreneurs a unique chance to gain training and empowerment in agro-practices, reduce youth unemployment, and make significant contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural landscape,” the foundation explained.
The scholarship covers all direct course costs, including materials, data support, and post-program assistance. It also features a bootcamp session that enhances participants’ practical skills and knowledge, equipping them to pitch their ideas confidently and implement their business strategies effectively.
Recently, Oludare Odusanya, the general manager of BATN Foundation, led the BATNF team in a meeting with the new Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Sunday Robert Aroni, to explore further collaboration between the BATN Foundation and NYSC.
Odusanya remarked, “Our partnership with NYSC is vital to our mission of fostering youth engagement in sustainable agriculture. By providing youths with the necessary skills and resources, we empower them to become job creators and contribute to securing Nigeria’s agricultural future.”
The new SAED director, Sunday Robert Aroni, shared this enthusiasm, stating, “We are eager to strengthen our collaboration with BATN Foundation. This initiative serves as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, and we anticipate the positive impact it will have on our young corps members.”
