With the Nigerian population expected to reach 230 million by 2025, food security is of considerable importance.
Today, the demand for food appears to be outstripping supply as a result of reduced productivity combined with post-harvest waste. To reverse this trend, we need innovative solutions to modernize our farming methods. We must look beyond the farmgate and harvest towards food transformation and preservation. This is where entrepreneurs in the agriculture space, also referred to as agripreneurs, come in.
Nigeria is a country with one of the youngest populations, with a median age of 18 years
and about 70% of the population under 30 (National Population Commission), yet the
average age of farmers today is 50 years. This is evidently a gap we must fill to ensure we
not only feed the present generation, but we secure the future. To achieve this, we must
build sustainable food systems by attracting and building active youth participation in the
agricultural sector.
GOLDEN MORN, one of Nestlé Nigeria’s leading brands, has, therefore, created an Agripreneurship Webinar Series in collaboration with the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan Atlantic University to promote sustainable food systems by increasing youth participation in the sector. The program provides support for young entrepreneurs already
engaged in or set to start up businesses in the agricultural sector through training,
funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Over 200 young agripreneurs have
benefited in the 4 series of the webinar so far.
In his comments at the event to present grants to the nine beneficiaries from the third
and the fourth session of GOLDEN MORN Agripreneurship Webinar series, the MD/CEO
Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, said, “I am excited at yet another opportunity to
celebrate the next generation of farmers who will continue to feed our rapidly growing
population, the entrepreneurs, and innovators of tomorrow. Your passion validates the
the strategic importance of GOLDEN MORN’s investment to provide support, opportunities, and platforms to enable you to create or scale your businesses and improve livelihoods within the agricultural value chain.”
“I encourage you, to take advantage of the grants you will receive today, to leverage the
mentorship and the networks that you have formed, to make a significant impact by
creating jobs for the teeming Nigerian youths,” he added.
Also speaking during the presentation, Obianuju Okafor, Project & Finance Manager of
the Enterprise Development Center (EDC), Pan Atlantic University said, “Entrepreneurship
is a critical pathway to improving the economy and upscaling the Agricultural value chain.
We are delighted that our continued collaboration with Nestlé GOLDEN MORN on the
Agripreneurship Webinar Series continues to provide excellent opportunities for young
agripreneurs to be trained in creating and running sustainable business models, to
enable them to increase their business productivity, ultimately impacting positively on the
the economy of the nation”.
Responding on behalf of all the beneficiaries, Joshua Bitrus of Agrigain Locura Ventures, Kaduna, said, “I am delighted to be a recipient of the GOLDEN MORN Agripreneurship
Webinar Series grant. The grant will definitely go a long way towards actualizing business
expansion, not only for myself but also for my fellow recipients. I call on other young
people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by companies such as Nestlé
Nigeria.”
GOLDEN MORN is an iconic brand from the stable of Nestlé, the Good Food, Good Life
the company is committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.
The Webinar series exposes young agripreneurs to relevant training on different aspects of the agricultural value chain, with a focus on grains. Post training, beneficiaries are supported with seedling and mentorship to enable them to thrive in their businesses. The fifth series of the program is scheduled for October 2022. The webinar is open to all budding or existing agric-based entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 years.
About GOLDEN MORN: GOLDEN MORN is a nutritious and great-tasting cereal made from homegrown Nigerian Maize and Soya Protein. It is fortified with vitamins and minerals, aligned to the highest international quality standards.
With 100% of the grains used to produce GOLDEN MORN cereal sourced locally, the brand is not only contributing to sustaining Nestle’s local sourcing ambitions but is also positively impacting the local economy by cultivating the next generation of farmers.
