The Cross River State government embarked on an ambitious drive to equip its young population and improve food security in the state. The campaign involved the donation of ₦800 million in grants to 400 beneficiaries comprising farmers and former members of the defunct Bakassi Defence Force.
Following intensive training on integrated agricultural value chains at a Nasarawa-based farm, the beneficiaries were awarded ₦2 million.
This programme attempts to steer youthful energy towards productivity, pairing financial support with agricultural training and boosting economic growth in the state.
According to the state government, this seed capital is designed to test commitment and creativity among beneficiaries, with provision for more funding.
The initiative goes beyond agriculture, however. 100 young people were trained in ICT, including web development and programming.
To foster accountability, monitoring committees have also been instituted across the state’s three senatorial districts. This is also to link promising projects with other opportunities.
Combined with mentorship and follow-up support, seed funding tends to have a greater impact since money alone may not guarantee long-term business sustainability.
The Cross River approach
The initiative in Cross River State is one among many examples across Nigeria in which governments and partners are aligning capital with training and monitoring for optimal impact.
In Ebonyi, for instance, similar initiatives have demonstrated the value of combining financial support with skills development. The state launched a ₦300 million agricultural empowerment grant to boost food production and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Taking a cue from these models, Cross River has built training, mentorship, and monitoring into its programme from the onset, aiming to ensure that the grants translate into sustainable businesses rather than short-lived ventures.
The litmus test lies in its implementation. While the disbursement of grants is a significant first step, concerns remain about whether beneficiaries will be able to overcome the typical barriers that often hinder smallholder and youth-led ventures.
Stable market access, low-cost inputs, storage facilities and extension services are important long-term success factors, yet these remain weaknesses in the majority of farm development programmes across the country.
This is the reason why the oversight structures promised by the government of Cross River state will be vital. The programme features oversight mechanisms to ensure measurable impact at the community level.
Central to the initiative is the narrative that it embodies. Instead of being presented as burdens or security threats, youths are shown to be competent forces whose energy can be harnessed to construct food systems, create jobs, and establish stability.
Overall, the programme reflects a broader shift in how state governments conceive empowerments, not just as a relief, but as an investment in development in the long run.
Summary not available at this time.
