Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways (NDYEP)

Between 2019 and 2021, Aqua-Green Integrated Farming Support Initiative (AGI) collaborated with the Ford Foundation and Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) to execute the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways (NDYEP) program. The initiative aimed to tackle unemployment and poverty by equipping youth with practical skills and resources to establish sustainable businesses in aquaculture, livestock farming, and agribusiness.

Key Features:
1. Hands-On Training: Practical workshops on aquaculture, poultry farming, and crop production.
2. Startup Resources: Distribution of essential farming tools and materials, including fingerlings, ponds, chicks, and feed.
3. Entrepreneurial Development: Coaching on business planning, market access, and financial literacy.
4. Market Linkages: Direct connections to buyers, cooperatives, and export aggregators.
5. Mentorship Support: Ongoing guidance and follow-up visits to ensure business success.

The program started with comprehensive training sessions that combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial development. Participants learned cutting-edge techniques in fish farming, such as biofloc systems and water recirculatory aquaculture systems (WRAS), as well as poultry management and crop production. In addition to these technical skills, the program provided coaching on business planning, financial management, and market analysis.

To ensure participants could immediately apply their skills, AGI distributed startup packs. For aquaculture, these included tarpaulin ponds, fingerlings, fish feed, and equipment, while poultry farmers received chicks, feed, and management kits. These resources allowed participants to launch their businesses without significant financial barriers.

Market linkages were a vital component of the program. AGI facilitated connections with local and regional buyers, cooperatives, and aggregators, ensuring participants had access to reliable markets for their products. Mentorship programs and follow-up visits were also provided to guide the youth through their early entrepreneurial stages, addressing challenges and maximizing their chances of success.

By the end of the project, over 3,000 youth had been trained, with many establishing thriving agribusinesses. These businesses not only improved their livelihoods but also contributed to economic growth and food security in the Niger Delta. The NDYEP program became a model for youth empowerment, showcasing how agriculture can be a viable pathway for economic transformation.