By Dada Ahmed.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in partnership with Riby – Nourishing Africa, has launched the Youth in Agri-food Export Development Programme (YAEDP) in kogi state.
The programme, facilitated by the Kogi State Enterprise DevelopmentnAgency(KEDA),is designed to support MSMEs to pilot business models toward becoming export worthy, according to Yemi Balogun, the Public Relations Officer, KEDA in a statement she issued in Lokoja.
Balogun added that YAEDP was designed to provide training, market linkages, and digital support to 15,000 youth agripreneurs in kogi state for exports in Kogi State amongst other eleven eligible states for the programme.
” This is in line with the economic sustainability plan of the government to address the impact of COVID 19 on exporters and SMEs,”she explained.
The PRO further explained that KEDA encouraged agribusiness enterprenuers dealing in value chain in agricultural products; such as Cocoa, Spices, Sesame, Shea butter, Cashew, Cassava, Soybeans, Rubber and Ginger to take advantage of this opportunity.
On eligibility for the programme, Balogun said the programne is meant for Nigerian agripreneurs and agro-cooperative leaders between 25 and 40 years, looking for opportunity to export their produce.
Business/cooperative that registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) qualified for the programme is also qualified take part in YAEDP.
She, however, stressed that applicants’ business must be located in the priority state in the country, adding that they must produce and/or sell food products in the priority value chains.
“The business must have at least three employees and must have been in operations for at least one year.
“YAEDP is scheduled to hold for six months (June-December, 2022). Interested applicants should register via this link:
www.nourishingafrica.com/yaedp/application.
“A,application deadline is 30th April, 2022,”she added.
The PRO advised interested applicants to visit KEDA office located at 26, Federal University road, Lokoja, between 10a.m and 3p. m for further assistance.
According to KEDA image maker, the agency’s support team is available to provide ‘Pen to Paper’ support to prospective applicants in need of such services,” in fulfilling the mandate of the Bello-led Administration to enhancing the scope of MSMEs in Kogi State.”
