Lafia: The Kaduna Business School, in collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), has successfully trained 95 Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to assist agricultural Small and Medium Enterprises (agri-SMEs) in Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna states in accessing finance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Ameh Omagwu, Project Manager for Systems Strengthening for the Provision of Business Development Services and Access to Finance for Agri-SMEs, was unveiled during an awareness and networking event for BDSPs and agri-SMEs in Lafia. The project, dubbed ‘Agri Revolution 2.0,’ aims to tackle the financial and market access challenges faced by farmers and others in the agricultural value chain.
Dr. Omagwu emphasized the importance of this training for BDSPs, who are now equipped to provide technical support to farmers and agri-SMEs. This support is crucial in helping these enterprises understand and access suitable financial products and markets. He highlighted the focus on farmers due to their significant challenges in accessing finance and markets, explaining that the BDSPs would act as intermediaries to bridge this gap.
The program has so far trained 95 BDSPs from the three states, out of a target of 300. The training, which spanned three weeks, included a comprehensive curriculum covering business development services, tools for identifying farmers’ challenges, and specialized content for agricultural BDSPs. Participants also engaged in field assignments, sharing insights on the challenges faced by farmers in their respective regions.
Omagwu noted the program’s success in supporting approximately 350 farmers involved in maize, rice, and soybean production through grants, loans, and capacity-building initiatives. He clarified that there was no cost implication for the SMEs, as grants were provided to help expand their businesses through the acquisition of necessary equipment and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Dr. Omagwu mentioned that the program is expected to run until 2028, with plans to train more BDSPs in subsequent phases. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance business development services in Nigeria, with the Kaduna Business School having previously trained around 2,000 generic BDSPs.
The National Business Development Service Provider Framework, developed in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), aims to professionalize business support services across the country. While Kaduna Business School focuses on the northern region, the Enterprise Development Centre of Pan-Atlantic University supports the southern region.
Mr. Theophilus Raymond, Nasarawa Programme Officer at AGRA, stated that the organization is working with Kaduna Business School, SMEDAN, and other partners to provide catalytic funding to address constraints affecting agri-SMEs. This initiative is expected to enhance access to technical and financial resources, particularly for young women entrepreneurs in the three states.
In a goodwill message, Mr. Abdullahi Ari, Vice President of Investment Promotion and Facilitation at the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA), praised AGRA and its partners for the initiative. He reiterated NASIDA’s commitment to supporting SMEs, describing them as the backbone of the economy, and expressed readiness to collaborate with the program to improve access to affordable finance for businesses in the state.
Mr. Uzoma Chikwendu of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) highlighted the engagement’s role in exposing agri-SMEs to financial products and support services. He noted that financial institutions could offer more than just financing, including business knowledge, networking opportunities, and market linkages to help agricultural enterprises grow.
Mr. Anthony Acheme of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) in Nasarawa outlined several initiatives aimed at addressing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including inadequate funding and post-harvest losses.
Dr. Donald Omenka, one of the newly trained agricultural BDSPs, expressed that the training would enable them to bridge the information gap between farmers and financial institutions. The BDSPs will assist farmers in understanding available financial products, preparing necessary documents, maintaining proper business records, and developing business plans that meet banks’ requirements. They will also engage financial institutions to develop products and conditions that better suit farmers and other actors in the agricultural value chain.
Beneficiaries such as Mrs. Joy Luka and Mrs. Grace Samuel shared that the program provided them with valuable information and practical guidance on accessing funding from financial institutions and expanding their businesses.