YPARD Nigeria & FarmCAS: Advancing Youth Careers in Agriculture

YPARD Nigeria remains committed to empowering young professionals in agriculture through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and connection to real-world opportunities. This report outlines key activities and impacts achieved in collaboration with our youth engagement partner, FarmCAS, over the past months.

Together, we have delivered targeted initiatives to reduce the disconnect between classroom-based agricultural education and the evolving demands of Nigeria's agrifood systems.

Key Activities and Highlights

1. Ife Crop Day Conference 4.0 – OAU Campus Fest

• Date: June 5, 2025
• Venue: Ajose Lecture Theatre, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
• Theme: Bridging the Gap Between Agricultural Careers and Agricultural Development
• Participants: 76 agricultural students

Overview:
Hosted by the Nigeria Association of Crop Production and Protection Students and FarmCAS, in collaboration with YPARD Nigeria and Soilless Farm Lab, this conference served as a platform for students to engage with professionals and gain clarity on diverse career pathways in agriculture.

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Key Features:

• Presentations by industry leaders:
  • Michael Akinsete (Ecotutu)
  • Annat Shittu (Farmatago)
  • Pelumi Aribisala (Cato Foods): Emphasized opportunities in agri-processing and value addition
  • Okpara Paul (Soilless Farm Lab): Spoke on innovation in soilless farming and tech-driven youth engagement
• Panel discussions with agri-tech professionals and processing entrepreneurs
• Live mentorship and Q&A sessions
• Exposure to sustainable practices, innovation trends, and entrepreneurial entry points

Outcome:
The event successfully connected students with mentors and industry players, fostering a deeper understanding of agriculture’s potential for innovation, sustainability, and employment.

2. FarmCAS Career Fest Initiative

Overview:
The FarmCAS Career Fest is an institution-based program designed to link undergraduate agricultural students with practical career paths, internships, and industry mentorship. YPARD Nigeria is a strategic partner, providing communication support, mentorship facilitation, and outreach engagement.

Key Achievements (2024–2025):

• Events hosted at Ekiti State University and Obafemi Awolowo University
• 500+ students engaged across both institutions
• 250+ students onboarded onto the IT Placement Program
• 20+ students placed on farms for 6-month industrial training
• Active collaboration with university stakeholders and agribusiness partners

Core Components:

• Career Orientation Sessions: Featuring professionals across diverse agricultural value chains
• Skill-Building Workshops: Covering CV writing, interview techniques, and job readiness
• Career Exhibitions: Presenting opportunities from agribusinesses, NGOs, and development organizations
• Mentorship: Direct access to agri-entrepreneurs and sector professionals

Impact & Feedback:

• Over 80% of participants reported increased career awareness
• More than 30% secured internships or job placements within three months
• Students expressed improved confidence and a clearer understanding of career opportunities in the agrifood sector

Strategic Relevance

These initiatives respond to a pressing national challenge: the youth employment gap in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. While agriculture remains a major employer, many young Nigerians lack the exposure, support, and experience required to enter and thrive within the sector.

Through our partnership with FarmCAS, YPARD Nigeria is:

• Building a structured talent pipeline for agribusiness and food systems
• Supporting the transition from theory to practice in agricultural education
• Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through real-life role models
• Strengthening university-industry collaboration for long-term systemic impact

Looking Ahead: Scaling Impact

In 2025 and beyond, YPARD Nigeria in collaboration with FarmCAS aims to scale the Career Fest model to more institutions and deepen our engagement in youth-focused agricultural development.

Next Steps:

• Engage additional universities in North Central, Southeast, and South-South zones
• Expand internship linkages with agribusinesses and rural enterprises
• Strengthen alumni and peer mentoring structures
• Leverage digital platforms to offer career training and virtual mentorship opportunities

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