Agribusiness Scheme for Empowering Young Graduates of Agriculture in Nigeria

In Nigeria, agribusiness schemes have a major role to play through the provision of improved food supply andnutrition as well as creating employment opportunities. Most of the young graduates of agriculture in Nigeria lackthe required support including capital or collateral to qualify for loans to establish their own agribusinesses. While,the low-engagement of youth in agribusiness is well documented, plausible and workable strategies and schemes foraddressing the issue are not. The study captured the benefits of this trend and capitalized on this for long-termagribusiness growth, in which the capacity of agriculture graduates in agribusiness entrepreneurship developmentshould be explored and strengthened. This paper reviewed current agribusiness schemes offerings with a view toempowering the graduates of agriculture in Nigeria. Thus, the paper reviewed the whole gamut of issues related toempowering young graduates of agriculture through the agri-clinics and agri-business schemes for Nigeria. Thepaper documented the existing and emerging opportunities that can be exploited for the establishment ofagribusiness schemes in Nigeria. It also, described the rationale, objectives, and elements of the schemes as well asthe indicative list of agri-ventures under the scheme. This paper, therefore, proposed the establishment of a wellarticulated agribusiness schemes for empowering young graduates of agriculture in Nigeria. The paperrecommended that, there is need to give special attention on the establishment and implementation of the scheme forimproved performance delivery with respect to trained young agri-graduates and successful implementation of theagribusiness schemes in the country.

Keywords:

Agribusiness Scheme , Agriculture , Empowerment , Young graduates , Nigeria