The Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, OYSADA, has announced a new youth‑focused agribusiness empowerment programme designed to support young entrepreneurs and expand youth participation in agriculture across the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at a press briefing in Ibadan by the agency’s Director‑General, Dr. Debo Akande, who also serves as the Executive Adviser on Agribusiness to the state Governor.
According to Dr. Akande, the initiative is scheduled to begin next week and aims to introduce more youths to practical opportunities in agricultural ventures, a sector the agency views as critical to economic growth and job creation.
Speaking at the event attended by agricultural stakeholders and partners, Dr. Akande highlighted the programme’s focus on youth participation, noting that empowering young people is central to the state’s agribusiness transformation agenda.
“This focus inspired the theme of the event: Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Programme,” he said.
Dr. Akande also disclosed that training had begun for several young participants at the Centre for Skills and Services (CSS) in Nasarawa State, where beneficiaries have been introduced to modern agribusiness practices.
He stated that more than 60 youths have actively participated in the project so far, supported by advisory staff from various partner organisations.
According to the agency, OYSADA has previously empowered hundreds of youths through similar initiatives by providing materials, training and even loans to help them launch agribusiness ventures across rural, suburban, and urban communities.
”In a related effort, the Oyo State Government has collaborated with financial institutions on youth agropreneur financing, including support for thousands of youths trained in agribusiness and a fund aimed at empowering youth‑led enterprises in the sector.”
Dr. Akande thanked the Oyo State Government and the state governor, engineer Seyi Makinde for the continued backing and investment in agribusiness initiatives, stressing that sustainable youth engagement in agriculture is a priority for enhancing food security, creating jobs, and driving economic development.
Also present at the briefing were representatives from FCMB, including Mr. Friday Nwokolo, Dr. Kola Badmus, OYSADA’s Permanent Secretary, and other key agriculture sector partners.