How To Promote Youth-Led Agribusiness Society
THE Youth Farm (YFarm) Project was launched during a National Stakeholders Meeting in April, last year, with the aim of establishing and promoting at least 10,000 youth-led farms and agri-businesses across Africa by 2020, as well as promoting a youth-led agric society to reduce poverty and increase active youth participation in sustainable agriculture by the year 2020.
On Monday (March 16, 2015), the first edition of the National Youth Agric Festival was held as a day to celebrate young farmers and stakeholders in agriculture under the YFarm Project with endorsements from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC), and support from Oxfam, Trust Africa and Golden Penny, in Abuja.
The festival hosted over 200 youths and Agric Stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agric/Research organisations, YEAP, Nagropreneurs and members of the Diplomatic community.
From its unique approach, Yfarm aims to draw young people out of poverty into sustainable agriculture and closer to God. The organisation of the first edition of the African Youth Agric Festival, held in Nasarawa last year was indeed an indication of things to come; especially with the level of support got for the festival from partners including the African Union Commission, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP, UNWomen, among others.
Barr. Nkiruka Nnaemego, the Executive Director and Founder of the Fresh and Young Brains Initiative (FBIN), and organiser of the YFarm Project, explains, “The Project adopts a two-pronged approach of promoting youth-led farms/agribusiness and highlighting the benefits of farming for sustainable livelihoods. Through the ‘YFarm: My Farm, My Swag’ Campaign, the YFarm Project aims to change the poor image of young persons involved in agriculture as poor and illiterate, and promote them as nagropreneurs and agribusiness experts.”
Thus, the YFarm marketplace celebrated and showcased youth-led agribusinesses, awards that celebrated five ‘outstanding agropreneurs’, the launch of a compendium of youth-friendly policy framework on sustainable agriculture and an agribusiness clinic, where discussions and interactions were held on digital jobs, challenges, success stories and opportunities for youth in agriculture and other activities.
“Currently, we are working on the establisment of the YFarm Incubation Centre for African Youths in Agribusiness, endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture. We recently received a seed grant approval from the African Union Commision and the UNDP to establish the Incubation Centre in Nigeria. FARA also indicated interest to support the centre,” Nkiru said.
She said there are two YFarm groups: YFarm Males and YFarm Females in Agribusinesses, launched on September and November 2014 respectively. She added that 20 pioneer YFarm females represented Nigeria at the Females in Agribusiness and Transformative Leadership Training, organised by the African Union Commission, UNDP, UNWomen/ACTIL from November 9th – 15th, 2014, in Nairobi, Kenya.
On return from the Kenyan training, the 20 YFarm Females registered the YFarm in Nigeria Females Agribusiness Cooperative to start a food processing plant, which will be hosted in the Incubation Centre, Nkiru said.
According to Nkiru, four of the YFarm Females and Males have been selected to attend the MASHAV Agribusiness Training on Economic Empowerment of Women, organised by the Isreali Government and UNWomen in Haifa, Israel in April 2015.
Furthermore, the project has developed the YFarm Organisational and Development Outreach Programme which is scheduled to begin in Mpape, Abuja on April 15, to reach out to small-holder farmers and fast-track the achievement of the project’s target of establishing and creating at least 10,000 youth-led farms and agribusinesses.
Also, the YFarm Online Certificate Course in Agribusiness, Value Addition and Value Chain will be hosted online in April to empower young farmers and Agropreneurs on sustainable agriculture.
“AYICC has accepted to co-host the 2nd edition of the African Youth Agric Festival with the UN System and African Union during the African Youth Conference on Climate Change (AfriYOCC) in Ethiopia from June 3rd – 5th, 2015 to celebrate the World Environmental Day,” Nkiru added.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
1 Comments
WORDS! WORDS!! WORDS AND LOT OF WORDS!!! ENOUGH OF WORD BUT TIME FOR ACTION!
Nigeria is one of the most blessed countries in the world. The problem
is spiritual wickedness of its people. People that sold their fellow
brothers in exchange for
anything into slavery for centuries to the West and East Indices,
Americas, Europe, Middle east, and Asian countries.
They prefer to give and serve the white man than to do same to their fellow blacks. I
am lettered in history. The middle men of the Slave coast; from
Eko-Badagry to Creek town Calabar; [Nigeria] started the trans-Atlantic
stage it with the Europeans in mid 16th century, later with the
American settlers. There were hundreds of savage and modern wars before
the annexation of the colonies of Lagos and Calabar in late 19th
century. Later the protectorate on the north and south and its
amalgamation in 1914. John Becroft fought Oba Kosoko of Eko and King
Jaja of Opobo, these two were captured and deported to the Barbados
Island in the West Indice {Caribbean Islands} also Nana of Itsekiri and
Oba Ovaremi of Benin were dealt with, all to stop with force the
illegitimate trade in human beings. When Lord Lugard fought Ahmadu Bello
at Kaduna it was for ruler-ship over the emirates.
To cut a very long
story short I would rather advise Nigerian to see beyond their nose,
and learn to help keep a country that took centuries of unrecorded and
recorded wars and anarchy to build.
Whatever is your gift is what God
will use to bless others. What is your gift? Giving offer us the
opportunity to restore our destiny – your love, wisdom, time and money
does it all and there will be peace and joy for every one. God is found
of revealing weakness before [they] begin to destroy. I have a personal
idea that can make this country very successful. Check it out, print,
copy and paste.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
RE; APPEAL TO PUBLISH A BOOK TITLED ‘AGRICULTURAL ORIENTATION FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS, VOL1. FOOD-CROPS.
Appeal for funding my publication of a revolutionary book on agriculture
titled, “Agricultural Orientation for Nigerian Youths,” Vol. one;
food-crops.
By Joseph-Paul Nwarienne.
I have just finished writing a revolutionary manuscript on agriculture title “Agricultural
Orientation for Nigerian Youths”, volume 1; Food Crops. The format is as follows;-
[a] The preface.
[b] Acknowledgments.
[c] 6 parts.
[d] 27 chapters.
[e] 44 references.
[f] 11 illustrations.
All
the chapters have between 3-9 sub-chapters that deal on specified crop
analysis in sequences that I deemed not necessary to classify hereon.
Part 1: Introduction:- 3 chapters. 1. Farm Management. 2. Factors influencing the present
situation of food production in Nigeria. 3. The socioeconomic aspect of agricultural schemes to
increase food production in Nigeria.
Part 2: Agronomy:- 6 chapters. 1. The plant crop. 2. Land preparation. 3. Soil and plant
nutrients. 4. Weeds control. 5. Propagation techniques. 6. Disease and pest control.
Part 3: Root crops:- 4 chapters. 1.Cassava. 2.Yam. 3.Sweet potatoes. 4.Coco-yam.
Part 4: Cereal-crops:- 4 chapters. 1.Rice. 2.Wheat. 3.Maize. 4.Guinea-corn
Part 5: Legume and Fruit crops:- 6 chapters. 1.Groundnut. 2.Cow-pea. 3.Plantain. 4.Pineapple. 5.Orange. 6.Paw-paw.
Part 6: Vegetable crops:- 4 chapters. 1.Garbage. 2. Tomatoes. 3.Onion. 4.Pepper.
Like I said earlier, each of the chapters have sub-chapters in sequences,
eg., Part 3:- chapter 12. Sweet Potatoes [Impomoea batatas].
12.1. Importance.
12.1.1. Fresh tuber utility.
12.1.2. Processed tuber utility.
12.2. Botany of the crop.
12.3. Propagation technique.
12.4. Maintenance.
12.5. Harvest and storage.
12.6. Disease and pest control.
I
study and researched vocational agriculture at Isulo, Igbariam, and
Adani farm settlements. I graduated with NCE., from school of arts and
social sciences,
department of Geography/History, Nwafor Orizu College of Education
Nsugbe, Anambra state, Nigeria. Reg.No.2007/8680.
I classified this script such as none had ventured. I hereby beg this organization for funds
to enable me publish and print the manuscript 1st edition of vol.1. I am a
prolific writer that needs sponsoring to publish. The manuscript is 26,
431 words, 44 references and, 11 illustrations.
For two years I have been trying to no avail to secure agric loan to establish a
cocoa/cassava plantation with one of my new companies, AGRO SEEDS
INDUSTRIES. I want a sponsor pilot farms for my company to teach youths
all over the states in Nigeria basic/practical and vocational
agriculture using my book ‘Agricultural orientation for Nigerian youths,
vol.1, food-crops,’ a basic of the agricultural orientation series. We
want to partner with you to make ATA of Nigeria a reality in practice.
I uploaded a software version of the unpublished manuscript to Dorrance
Publishing Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. for possible
publishing of the script on premium standard level at the cost of
$15,000 I wish to launch this revolutionary book on agriculture state by
state and in the process establishing agric vocation centers in
Nigeria.
I hereby appeal to the to use your discretion via your
subsidiaries to sponsor this pilot project for the publication of this
book ‘AGRICULTURAL ORIENTATION FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS’ Vol. 1. FOOD-CROPS.
The book will be instrumentally pivotal and like Gorge Orwell’s ‘ANIMAL
FARM’ of 1947, and Karl Marx’s ‘CAPITAL’ of 1867 revolutionary
expediency respectively. I will be able to pay with interest whatever
amount granted me since I know that agriculture is a very viable
business than meet the eyes of the teaming youths of Nigeria.
Joseph-Paul Nwarienne
08063341849
08038146812
Bank: Diamond bank plc:-
A/C Name: Nwarienne Joseph
A/C No: 0049017824
Bank: Fidelity Bank Plc:-
A/C Name: NIGERCOM GLOBAL RESOURCES LTD
A/C No: 5600132088
Below is except from a correspondence with a publishing company; Dorrance
Publishing Company, Inc. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. which I have
made contact with.
Joseph-Paul Nwarienne
Nigeria
Dear Joseph-Paul :
We have received and completed our review of Agricultural Orientation for
Nigeria: Volume One: Food Crops and we believe your work would make a
positive addition to our Dorrance Publishing list of titles.
In this manuscript, the author discusses the subcategories of managing a
farm, the plethora of crops and plants, and the flowers commonly used.
The manuscript explores the production and economical effects of
agriculture for the youth and society of Nigeria. This manuscript may
appeal to fans of non-fiction and education.
If you are like most of our authors, you realize that in order for your work to be published,
it is up to you. Today, many of the new books you see on the bookshelf
of your favorite bookstore or in the catalog of your favorite online
bookseller are published by the author using a publishing services
company like Dorrance. Other than celebrities or established authors
with a proven track record, the unfortunate reality is that very few
authors enjoy the luxury of having a commercial publisher pay them to
publish their work.
Today, even established authors are choosing to
publish their own work so that they have more control over the finished
product or so that they can enjoy a larger share of the profits when
selling their book. Your publishing consultant will discuss with you
whether paying Dorrance to publish your book makes sense for you.
I would prefer to discuss the specific details of your publishing
services agreement personally. However, given the volume of books that
we bring into print each year, I find it necessary to delegate these
duties to members of our Publishing Services Consultation staff.
I am confident you will find my colleague both personable and knowledgeable.
I would, nevertheless, like to personally provide for you a brief
overview of our publishing services program.
Please take a moment
to watch this video to learn more about how authors have trusted
Dorrance with their books for nearly 100 years.
As you will see, the most important element of our comprehensive publishing services
program is its inclusiveness. We incorporate all elements necessary to
properly publish Agricultural Orientation for Nigeria: Volume One: Food
Crops , including complete editorial and design services, a defined book
promotion plan, traditional print and e-book distribution, and order
fulfillment services.
You will be assigned a Project Coordinator,
who will be your personal liaison during the production of your book,
and then you will work with an Author Services Coordinator, who will be
your point of contact during the promotion of your book and for as long
as you remain a Dorrance author. These staff members, along with our
book order staff, are easily reachable via email and toll-free phone
numbers.
You’ll also receive access to our Author Resources
portal. This easy-to-use, personalized web interface allows you to
access information about the production and promotion of your book 24/7
from anywhere in the world. Through Author Resources, you can
communicate directly with your project coordinator and review and
approve all of your production and promotion materials. However, you can
also email or phone your coordinator at any time. We want you to
communicate with us via the method you are most comfortable.
Pre-Press Editorial and Design Services
Editing:
We will assign an editor to copy edit Agricultural Orientation for
Nigeria: Volume One: Food Crops consisting of a reading of the
manuscript to improve consistency in spelling, capitalization, and
hyphenation; agreement of subjects and verbs; correction of grammar and
punctuation; and other such mechanics of written communication. The
manuscript will be returned to you, for your approval, upon completion
of the editing process.
Page Design: Your work will then be
formatted into book pages, with an appropriate typeface chosen. Our
books are generally designed with a 10-point type with 12 points of
leading (space between lines). Your approval will also be requested on
these designed pages.
Cover Design: A cover designer will create
an appealing cover for your book, taking into consideration any input
you may have. If you have a recent full-color photograph available,
please let us know so that we can plan to include it on the back cover
of your book.
Copyright: Two printed copies of your completed book
will be submitted for copyright protection under your name and, if your
book qualifies, a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) will be
assigned. If you previously obtained a copyright for your unpublished
work, United States copyright law requires that a new copyright be filed
when the work has been published.
Book Formats
Traditional
Print Format: Your book will be printed on quality paper and expertly
bound with a full-color paperback cover with a 6-inch by 9-inch trim
size; we are able to produce books in a variety of other trim sizes if
desired.
E-book: Your book will be available for purchase in
digital form most anywhere in the world and will be able to be read on
more than 86 different e-book reading devices, including the Kindle, the
Nook, the Sony Reader, Android phones, the iPhone, the iPad, and the
iPod Touch, as well as personal computers. We have strategic
partnerships with the largest e-book vendors in the world: Google
eBookstore, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes & Noble Nook.
Book Promotion
A specific amount of your publishing services fee will be used to promote
Agricultural Orientation for Nigeria: Volume One: Food Crops with
research performed to target specific outlets and media. The specific
details of our proposed book promotion will be detailed in the Promotion
section of your publishing agreement, but a brief highlight includes:
• Creating a listing at our media site, DorrancePressRoom.com,
which credentialed media personnel can search by book title, author
name, or topic, and providing up to twenty-five (25) printed review
copies, and unlimited digital copies, at the request of credentialed
media.
• Distributing the publicity release to online news media and RSS news feeds appropriate to the Work and/or the Author.
• Notifying book retailers, wholesalers, distributors, jobbers, and major
book chain headquarters of book availability as well as publicizing the
book release through the Dorrance Email Newsletter.
•
Providing the Work for limited preview through Google Books along with
availabilit ordering Distribution and Order Fulfillment Distribution:
Once Agricultural Orientation for Nigeria: Volume One: Food Crops is in
book form, your traditional print and e-book purchase information will
be
made available at our e-commerce bookstore, DorranceBookstore.com
,(enrolled in the Amazon.com Advantage program, allowing the online
retailer to warehouse copies of
your book and offer quick shipment to consumers; submitted to Ingram
Lightning Source, the leading international book distributor preferred
by retailers such as Barnes & Noble; and introduced to Baker &
Taylor, one of the largest worldwide printed-book distributors.
Additionally, a listing for your book will be created at Bowker’s Books
in Print, an essential bibliographic tool for libraries, booksellers,
and publishers.
Order Fulfillment: Upon receipt of a retail or
consumer order for Agricultural Orientation for Nigeria: Volume One:
Food Crops, our fulfillment team will handle order and payment
processing, packaging and shipping, and customer service for orders.
Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. continues to publish books in the fine tradition
associated with the Dorrance name for nearly 100 years. The original
publishing company was founded in 1920 by Colonel Gordon Dorrance and
was America’s first author services company. I have been personally
involved with Dorrance Publishing for almost a quarter of a century. I
truly believe that we have assembled a pool of creative writers,
editors, proofreaders, and artists as well as full-time advertising,
public relations, and creative services staffs that offer a level of
support and service to our authors that is unmatched in the publishing
services industry.
My staff and I understand Agricultural
Orientation for Nigeria: Volume One: Food Crops represents a significant
personal accomplishment for you, and we would be honored to have the
opportunity to work with you in bringing it into print.
Your personal publishing consultant will be giving you a call in the next
several days to answer your questions and discuss the terms of our
publishing services agreement.
Sincerely,
David Zeolla
President
We will review and take appropriate action.