Picture – GM Grant 1: (L – R)
- Obianuju Okafor, Project & Finance Manager of the Enterprise Development Center (EDC), Pan Atlantic University
- Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC
- Ifeanyi Orabuche, Category and Marketing Manager Dairy, Nestlé Nigeria PLC
- Salome Azevedo, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Central and West Africa
Nestlé’sGOLDEN MORNsustains investment in the next generation of farmers
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 solutionsto modernize our farming methods. We must look beyond the farmgate and harvest towards food transformationand preservation. This is
whereentrepreneurs 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 evidentlya 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,createdan
Agripreneurship Webinar Seriesin collaboration with the Enterprise Development Center of the Pan Atlantic Universityto 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 businessesin the agricultural sector through trainings,
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 fourth sessionsof GOLDEN MORN Agripreneurship Webinarseries, the MD/CEO Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini,said, “I am excited at yet another opportunity to celebrate the next generation of farmers who willcontinue tofeed our rapidly growing population, the entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow. Your passion validates the strategic importance of GOLDEN MORN’s investment to provide support, opportunities and platforms to enabe youcreate or scale yourbusinesses and improve livelihoods within the agricultural value chain.”
Picture – GM Grant 2: Participants/Beneficiaries of the project with Salome Azevedo, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Central & West Africa and Ifeanyi Orabuche, Category and Marketing Manager Dairy, Nestlé Nigeria PLC
“I encourage you, to take advantage of the grants you wil receive today, to leverage the mentorship and the networksthat 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 on creating and running sustainable business models, to enable them increase their business productivity, ultimately impacting positively on 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 theGOLDEN MORN Agripreneurship Webinar Seriesgrant. 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 company,committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.
The Webinar series exposes young agripreneurs to relevant trainings on different aspects of the agricultural value chain, with focus on grains. Post training, beneficiaries are supported with seedling and mentorship to enable them thrive in their businesses.The fifth series of the program is scheduled for October 2022.The webinaris open to all budding or existing agric-based entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 years.
