Insecurity halts Leventis Foundation’s agribusiness training in Kaduna, denies 3,000 farmers essential skills

For six years, insecurity has disrupted agribusiness training in Kaduna State, preventing thousands of aspiring farmers from acquiring vital skills.

The Leventis Foundation, a key player in agricultural training for over three decades, was forced to suspend operations at its Kaduna center in Birnin Gwari due to rising security threats.

As a result, more than 3,000 farmers have been denied opportunities that could improve food production and boost their livelihoods.

The Leventis Foundation operates six agricultural training schools across Nigeria, but Kaduna’s persistent insecurity—particularly in Birnin Gwari, a hotspot for banditry—has left its training center inactive since 2019.

“We’ve not operated from that school due to insecurity,” said Hope Usieta, the Foundation’s Executive Director.

He told BusinessDay Newspapers that despite this setback, other centers in Kano, Osun, Gombe, Abuja, and Ondo remain functional.

However, insecurity continues to impact agriculture nationwide, limiting farmers’ access to their lands and reducing food production.

Usieta disclosed that since its inception, the Foundation has trained over 31,000 youths and farmers, offering free tuition, accommodation, and stipends.

“Our goal is to attract more young people into agriculture, enhance productivity, and promote eco-friendly practices,” Usieta explained.

To support graduates, the Foundation noted that it facilitates access to startup funds through state-sponsored packages and low-interest microcredit schemes.

“We ensure our trainees are linked with financial institutions that recognize their training with us,” Usieta added.

According to him, a key initiative of the Foundation is the Agricultural Youth Summit, which fosters dialogue among stakeholders while providing networking opportunities for trainees.

He added that the summit also offers grants to support agribusiness startups.

“Last year, one of our ex-trainees, a corps member, won a grant and now supplies mushrooms to a project in Calabar,” Usieta revealed.

He further disclosed that the Foundation is primarily funded by the Leventis family, with state governments providing counterpart funding.

Its annual operational cost stands at approximately ₦2.5 billion, with a focus on training, farmer support, and outreach.

However, increasing demand for agricultural training presents a new challenge.

“We received over 18,000 applications this year for less than 500 slots,” Usieta noted.

Usieta also noted that the Foundation’s flagship one-year training program is open to youths aged 18 to 40, with applications starting in January and running for six weeks.

He added that selection is based on an entrance exam, and successful candidates receive free tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.

“Short courses are also available for older individuals or those seeking specialized training”, he said.

As Nigeria battles food insecurity and rising youth unemployment, the Leventis Foundation said it remains committed to equipping young people with agricultural skills, despite the mounting challenges.