A beneficiary of the Oyo State Government’s Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Adebowale Falana, has narrated how the initiative transformed him from a trainee into a major supplier of farm produce, crediting the programme with reshaping his economic prospects.

Falana, who participated in one of the project’s agribusiness training programmes held in Nasarawa State, said the exposure and practical knowledge he gained became the foundation for his foray into commercial vegetable farming.

Speaking on his experience, he explained that upon returning to Oyo State after the training, he began to reassess his opportunities within the agricultural sector and decided to put his knowledge into practice.

“I was part of the beneficiaries from the Nasarawa training. When we returned, I started thinking about what to do with what we had learnt. I had a piece of land in Omi, so I started planting carrots and other vegetables,” he said.

He added that his small-scale effort has since grown into a structured agribusiness venture, with established supply channels.

“Today, I am among those supplying produce under ‘Item 7’. I am proud to say that Governor Seyi Makinde, through the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Dr Debo Akande, has made me prosper through this initiative,” Falana stated.

According to him, the impact of the programme has also attracted family support, paving the way for further expansion of his farming activities.

“Even as we speak, my in-law is in the process of giving me about 200 acres of land to scale up the planting of vegetables like carrots, cabbage and green beans. I really appreciate the government for this opportunity,” he added.

This publication understands that YEAP initiative, implemented by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, is designed to equip young people with practical agribusiness skills and support them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.

The programme targets youths between the ages of 25 and 35, with a deliberate inclusion of women, who make up at least 30 per cent of participants. Beneficiaries are exposed to hands-on training, mentorship and startup support, using an incubation and apprenticeship model.
Through partnerships with private sector players and development organisations across the agricultural value chain, the initiative connects trainees to opportunities in production, processing and marketing.

The state government has said the programme is part of broader efforts to reduce youth unemployment, boost food production and position Oyo as a leading agribusiness hub in Nigeria.

Since its inception, YEAP has produced several young agripreneurs now actively engaged in farming and supply chains across the state, with stakeholders describing the initiative as a practical model for sustainable youth empowerment.

A beneficiary of the Oyo State Government’s Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Adebowale Falana, has narrated how the initiative transformed him from a trainee into a major supplier of farm produce, crediting the programme with reshaping his economic prospects.

Falana, who participated in one of the project’s agribusiness training programmes held in Nasarawa State, said the exposure and practical knowledge he gained became the foundation for his foray into commercial vegetable farming.

Speaking on his experience, he explained that upon returning to Oyo State after the training, he began to reassess his opportunities within the agricultural sector and decided to put his knowledge into practice.

“I was part of the beneficiaries from the Nasarawa training. When we returned, I started thinking about what to do with what we had learnt. I had a piece of land in Omi, so I started planting carrots and other vegetables,” he said.

He added that his small-scale effort has since grown into a structured agribusiness venture, with established supply channels.

“Today, I am among those supplying produce under ‘Item 7’. I am proud to say that Governor Seyi Makinde, through the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Dr Debo Akande, has made me prosper through this initiative,” Falana stated.

According to him, the impact of the programme has also attracted family support, paving the way for further expansion of his farming activities.

“Even as we speak, my in-law is in the process of giving me about 200 acres of land to scale up the planting of vegetables like carrots, cabbage and green beans. I really appreciate the government for this opportunity,” he added.

This publication understands that YEAP initiative, implemented by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, is designed to equip young people with practical agribusiness skills and support them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.

The programme targets youths between the ages of 25 and 35, with a deliberate inclusion of women, who make up at least 30 per cent of participants. Beneficiaries are exposed to hands-on training, mentorship and startup support, using an incubation and apprenticeship model.
Through partnerships with private sector players and development organisations across the agricultural value chain, the initiative connects trainees to opportunities in production, processing and marketing.

The state government has said the programme is part of broader efforts to reduce youth unemployment, boost food production and position Oyo as a leading agribusiness hub in Nigeria.

Since its inception, YEAP has produced several young agripreneurs now actively engaged in farming and supply chains across the state, with stakeholders describing the initiative as a practical model for sustainable youth empowerment.