Heifer International Nigeria has announced the launch of the 2025 Agriculture Youth and Technology (AYuTe) challenge, which aims to support agricultural innovators and entrepreneurs and enhance food security in Nigeria.
The country director of Heifer International Nigeria, Dr Lekan Tobe, emphasised the initiative’s role in empowering young people to access Nigeria’s agricultural sector for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
“We have supported over 46 million smallholder farmers across South America, Asia, and Africa. In Africa, we have operated for over 50 years, working across eight countries to facilitate and coordinate stakeholders in the food system,” Tobe stated at the competition launch in Abuja yesterday.
He highlighted that while the competition offers a $40,000 prize, its impact goes beyond financial rewards. “We mentor the winners, guiding them through the process of commercialisation so they can independently scale their innovations, leveraging technology and modern practices for long-term impact,” he added.
The challenge is open to individuals aged 18 to 35 with innovative solutions within the agricultural value chain that address key problems, create employment, and contribute to food sufficiency. According to Tobe, this aligns with Nigeria’s national agenda for food security.
The competition’s grand finale is scheduled for May 2025. Winners will receive financial support and ongoing mentorship to help implement their solutions and address the challenges smallholder farmers face in Nigeria.
