The Bauchi State Government has disbursed N625 million in startup grants to 1,250 youths and women to promote agricultural production and agribusiness development across the state’s 20 local government areas.
Governor Bala Mohammed announced the initiative during the official presentation of the grants in Tafawa Balewa on Tuesday, stating that each beneficiary would receive N500,000 to establish an agribusiness in a chosen area of agriculture.
According to the governor, the programme is designed to tackle unemployment, create wealth and strengthen food security by encouraging greater youth participation in agriculture.
Mohammed said the beneficiaries underwent a two-week intensive practical training programme conducted by the International Skills Acquisition Centre (ISAC) at CSS Farms. The training covered crop production, livestock farming, aquaculture, poultry production, greenhouse technology, agribusiness management, value addition and enterprise development.
“You will recall that in 2021, this administration supported 1,000 youths and women from across the 20 local government areas. The participants underwent intensive practical training at the International Skills Acquisition Centre of CSS Farms in various aspects of agriculture and agribusiness,” he said.
The governor explained that the state government fully funded the programme, covering tuition, transportation, accommodation, feeding and other training-related expenses.
He recalled that each participant in the 2021 programme received a startup package worth about N450,000 to establish an agribusiness after completing the training.
Mohammed said the positive outcomes recorded by beneficiaries of the first phase encouraged the government to expand the initiative in 2025 by training another 1,250 youths and women across the state.
“Encouraged by these achievements, the government expanded the programme in 2025 to train another 1,250 youths and women in practical agriculture and agribusiness.
“I am delighted to announce today the commencement of the payment of startup grants of N500,000 each to these 1,250 beneficiaries. This is an investment in productivity, enterprise, employment generation and the future prosperity of our state. Invest wisely and use the funds judiciously,” he said.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to establish sustainable agribusinesses capable of creating jobs, reducing unemployment and contributing to food security and economic growth in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.
He also directed the state Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the prompt disbursement of the grants to all beneficiaries.
Some of the beneficiaries described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity.
Maryam Ibrahim, who received training in poultry production, said the programme and the startup grant would help create employment opportunities while boosting poultry farming in the state.
Another beneficiary, Mustapha Abdullahi, who specialised in feed production, said he planned to establish a feed manufacturing business to supply quality livestock feed to farmers across Bauchi State.
