The role of mechanization in attracting youth and supporting women in Nigerian agribusiness

A National Colloquium dedicated to the role of women and youth in the development of agricultural mechanization in Nigeria was held in Abuja. During the event, the Agri360 Mechanisation Training Initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was presented. The program aims to train 5,000 women and young citizens across the country.

The event took place at the State House Banquet Hall. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, and the statement was signed by the Special Adviser on Media and ICT in the Office of the Vice President, Kwapchi Bata Hamman.

The training program covers digital agronomy, agricultural mechanization, equipment operation and maintenance, as well as entrepreneurship and agribusiness management. According to the First Lady, mechanization is intended to improve traditional farming methods, increase productivity, reduce physical workload, and attract the youth. At the same time, the benefits will affect not only crop production, but also processing, logistics, technology, and other areas of the production chain.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari noted that the initiative covers the entire process from land preparation to value addition, including access to water and machinery. According to him, the government is moving from discussions to action, viewing the agricultural sector as an economic enterprise capable of improving farmers' lives and supporting economic growth, food security, and job creation within the framework of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Participants of the colloquium highlighted the main problems of Nigeria's agro-industrial complex, including the low level of mechanization, funding deficits, lack of infrastructure and skills, as well as the exclusion of women and youth from processes. According to their estimates, the development of mechanization will help reduce heavy manual labor, create jobs, and strengthen the country's food security.