NSE PARTNERS WITH TWO AGRIPRENEUR FIRMS TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT. (PHOTO).

 NSE Partners with Two Agripreneur Firms to Boost Food Security and Youth Empowerment

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two Nigerian agribusiness firms to foster the establishment of demonstration farms across the country.

According to the NSE, these agreements align with its strategic agenda to enhance food security and create job opportunities for Nigerians. The partnerships are part of the society's broader efforts to address agricultural challenges, as discussed during its ongoing international conference.

At the signing ceremony in Abuja, NSE President Margaret Oguntala emphasized that the program would not only generate employment but also benefit all parties involved. The MoUs were signed with Integrated Lancaster Farms and Assetrise Limited, with the goal of introducing innovative agricultural technologies to combat food insecurity in Nigeria.

Oguntala reaffirmed the NSE’s commitment to its strategic goals, stating, "We expect this collaboration to be mutually beneficial, enhancing NSE’s activities and boosting the businesses involved. Ultimately, this initiative serves the interests of our members."

The program also aims to support the development of Nigeria's agricultural sector, aligning with this year’s NSE conference theme.

Oluwadurotimi Ojamamoye, Group Managing Director of Assetrise Limited, revealed plans for an incubation hub that will help graduates transition into farm ownership. He mentioned that the company had secured 100 hectares of land at the Federal University of Agriculture, where millions of yam tubers would be cultivated, with plans to expand to 1,000 hectares. The initiative aims to empower 1,500 students, with NSE’s collaboration in achieving this goal.

Ojamamoye also highlighted the success of Assetrise’s operations in Lagos, where the company cultivated over a million yam tubers in 2023, and plans to produce nearly 3 million tubers this year, alongside a Smart City project spanning 3,000 hectares.

Patrick Obidoyin, Co-founder of Integrated Lancaster Farms, underscored that the partnership’s focus is on youth empowerment and tackling unemployment. He expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, "Nigeria has all the resources needed to move from food production deficits to surpluses."