- Focus on Agri-Tech Skills: NADF emphasized the need for Agri-Tech skills acquisition to boost agricultural productivity, empower youth, and address food security challenges in Nigeria.
- Key Partnership for Training: NADF partnered with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to implement a vocational training program focused on essential modern farming skills, including soil science, veterinary medicine, and digital mapping.
- Region-Specific Pilot Program: A pilot initiative tailored to the agro-ecological needs of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones was announced to provide targeted agricultural training.
- Balanced Funding Approach: To support young farmers, NADF is adopting a commercial and social funding model to ease financial barriers, fostering sustainable agricultural growth and job creation.
The National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, has urged a stronger focus on Agri-Tech skills acquisition to enhance agricultural productivity and create employment opportunities for Nigerian youth.
Speaking at the Nigerian Youth Development stakeholders’ roundtable, hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, NADF’s Executive Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, highlighted the intersection of technology and agriculture as a promising avenue for youth empowerment and addressing food security challenges.
In a statement issued on Monday, Abubakar Umar, Director-General of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, praised NADF’s efforts to advance Agri-Tech skill development. “We are pleased to support NADF in its dedication to equipping Nigerian youth with the skills necessary for modern agriculture,” Umar said.
Ibrahim outlined the untapped potential of the Agri-Tech sector, emphasizing its critical role in shaping the future workforce. “Agri-Tech remains underutilized despite its transformative potential,” he noted.
To bridge the skills gap, NADF has partnered with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to implement a National Agricultural Technical, Vocational, and Educational Training Programme. This initiative addresses key areas like soil science, veterinary medicine, and digital mapping—essential skills for modern farming.
Ibrahim also announced a pilot program tailored to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative will provide region-specific agricultural training, targeting the unique agro-ecological needs of each area.
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To ease financial barriers for young farmers and entrepreneurs, NADF is employing a balanced funding model that combines commercial and social investments, fostering sustainable growth and job creation.
“NADF’s approach aims to support smallholder farmers and youth, ensuring agricultural innovation contributes to national development,” Ibrahim concluded.
