Mastercard Foundation, Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture

Work, Learn, and Earn – an opportunity to train unemployed youths and women in vegetable production (Olericulture) using technology. The technologies to be deployed include:

1. Greenhouse farming – this is a climate smart growing method that gives the growers control over biotic and abiotic factors.
2. Soilless farming (hydroponics) – a growing method that does not depend on soil, it allows the grower to grow year round regardless of season
3. ML & AI tools – These will be used in monitoring the irrigation of the plants as well as proper nutrient combination for the plants
4. Integrated Pest management – A combination of physical and biological control will be used throughout the project to ensure proper pest management.

Students will be admitted quarterly into the project, 1000 students per quarter and will be grouped in 50s. In a year there will be 4 admissions, thus:

1. Annual student intake = 4000
2. A batch of students admitted quarterly = 1000
3. A batch consist of 20 groups
4. A group consist of 50 team members

Work:

1. All 50 students in a group have joint ownership of a 3 plots hydroponics farm
2. Each group will have the technical team (16), Agronomy team (12), Packaging/branding team (8), logistics (6) and Account/Management team (8)

Learn:

1. All students will be trained on basic greenhouse setup
2. All students will be trained on basic soilless farm setup
3. All students will be trained on basic ML and AI setup
4. All students will be trained on basic Olericulture production
5. Students will be trained also based on their units – technical, agronomy etc so they can manage the company on their own

Earn:

1. The students will earn a stipend during the 3 month of training
2. Accommodation is provided for 3months
3. Learn how to setup/manage greenhouses and hydroponics
4. Earn salaries from their company from the 4^th month of inception from produce sales

Eligibility Criteria

You Must be between the age of 18- 29 at the time of application

You must have a genuine interest in Olericulture

You must be Available For 12 weeks of physical training

You must be physically and mentally fit to work with the team on the farm

You must be willing to relocate to Kurere village, Awowo, Ewekoro LGA, Ogun state. This is physical training, and it cannot be attended by proxy,

You Must not have  a criminal record

You Must be willing to adhere to and respect the rules and regulations of the project and its location

Benefits

Fully Sponsored Training

You get to learn about the Olericulture value chain and soilless farming for free. This is a well-structured hands-on training to help you co-own and co-manage a soilless farm as part of a group.

Free Farm Setup Kits

A cluster (group of 50 students) Will work on 3 plots of hydroponics farm set up for them, with access to logistics and a storage facility on the farm. Each cluster will be registered as a company.

Access to Offtakers

You will get connected to off-takers to buy off the produce at the beginning of the project until you are able to generate your own leads. You get to practice all the marketing skills you were taught.

Post Training + Mentorship

Activities include presentation (action plan of training), Performance try-out, and follow-up. You demonstrate and illustrate each step of a task. You will repeat tasks multiple times so that your mistakes are corrected.

Deadline: Not stated

Click HERE To Apply