Recently, Kano State hosted a regional empowerment training for women farmers in the northwest part of Nigeria geared at unlocking their full participation in the development of the agriculture sector.
The one-day workshop with the theme ‘Shifting Mindsets Toward Entrepreneurship Across Agricultural Value Chains’ was organised by Micro Development Consulting Limited (MDCL), in partnership with major national institutions in the country.
“Developing a step-by-step finance access guide (through MDCL & NABG) to help women navigate ACGSF and other funding opportunities, and follow-up mentoring and coaching sessions to support participants in implementing their action plans, were recommended.”
A total of 56 participants, including 28 women and 3 male agripreneurs drawn from the states in the region, attended the workshop series held at ‘Tribes by Meena’, in Kano metropolis.
The empowerment programme was designed to achieve three core objectives, namely, to build women’s leadership, business, and entrepreneurship capacities, as well as to facilitate linkages to financial institutions, input providers, and produce markets, and to support the development of sustainable women-led business networks and market hubs.
It was facilitated by resource persons drawn from major public institutions and organisations, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, Centre for Dryland Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano, Nigerian Agribusiness Group, and
As well as the participation of private business concerns, like the Nigerian Agribusiness Group, NIRSAL Plc, Jaiz Bank Plc, Dala Microfinance Bank, and some notable women agribusiness entrepreneurs.
During the event, agribusiness stakeholders deliberated on opportunities and challenges in strengthening women’s participation in the agricultural value chain and, at the end, were impacted with an entrepreneurial mindset, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and practical strategies for empowerment in the agricultural value chain.
What motivated the programme:
Declaring the activity open, Furera Isma Jumare, founder of MDCL, said the event was organised and designed to empower the participants, who are drawn from Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina, to amplify their voices for inclusion in the Nigerian agriculture space.
She stated that the programme was also designed to enable the participants to appreciate the huge opportunities which agriculture offers to them along the value chains, noting that a lot of women seem not to understand the opportunities opened to them in the sector.
“We want the women to know that in each of the agriculture value chains there are opportunities, from inputs to production, to processing, to distribution, to marketing, and some other activities, like aggregation, logistics, and even up to export.
“So, we did this so that the women in the agribusiness can scale and move up to a level so that they can make money in their business. In this workshop, we brought together a total of 46 women from the three targeted states.
“We called the programme Workshop number one, so this is the first workshop on the agricultural value chain. For years, our group has been holding different workshops, but we re-strategised as a business group to focus now on agriculture, especially now, when the Federal Government is placing emphasis on food self-sufficiency.
“We have a plan to make this workshop a quarterly event; we will be moving from the level of appreciation of the importance of agriculture to scaling it to how to level opportunities in the value chain,” Furera explained.
Read also: Sub-Saharan food security: Why youth still reject farming as business
Resource persons/facilitators:
Furera Isma Jumare – CEO, MDCL; Dr Aminu A. Fagge – CDA – BUK; Maimuna Kida – Bank of Agriculture (BOA); Samira Sani – Bank of Industry (BOI); Bashir Garba – Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Jafar Muhammad – Central Bank of Nigeria; Sadiya Bashir Karaye – Dala Microfinance Bank.
Others are Muhammad Ahmed (Jaiz Bank Plc), Faiza Kabir Adamu (NIRSAL Plc), Jafar Umar (Nigerian Agribusiness Group (NABG)), Amina P. Abubakar (agribusiness entrepreneur), Habiba Umaru Sule-Dalhatu (agribusiness entrepreneur), and Hajara Usman Nagado (agribusiness entrepreneur).
Summary of key presentation:
Aminu Fagge delivered the key lecture, which focused on how women can develop an entrepreneurial mindset in agriculture, which emphasised the urgent need to shift from subsistence farming, which is primarily for survival, to agribusinesses, showing how small ventures can be scaled through innovation and good resource management.
He introduced the principles of agripreneurship, which include innovation, risk-taking and efficient use of resources, and explained how these principles could be applied across the agricultural value chain from production to processing, packaging and marketing.
He acknowledged the challenges women face, including limited access to finance, poor infrastructure, climate change and market inefficiencies, but argued that these should be seen as opportunities for women to innovate and create solutions.
According to him, when women adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, the benefits extend beyond individual gain to include rural development, job creation, higher household incomes and environmental sustainability. He encouraged participants to embrace networks, join cooperatives and leverage technology as strategies for building competitive and sustainable agribusiness.
Fagge concluded his presentation and reaffirmed that women are not just contributors but key drivers of agricultural transformation. By adopting entrepreneurial thinking, exploring organic farming, and adding value to their products, women could secure sustainable livelihoods and build resilient agribusinesses. MDCL remains committed to supporting this transformation.
Presentations by Financial Institutions:
Central Bank of Nigeria
Bashir Garba, representing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), introduced participants to the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF). He explained that the fund was established to increase lending to farmers by banks. According to him, through this scheme, both individuals and cooperatives could access loans of up to fifty million naira, depending on the activity and availability of collateral. He clarified that civil servants were also eligible, with their salaries serving as collateral.
Garba highlighted that CBN was actively reaching local farmers by conducting sensitisation programmes in collaboration with commercial banks and other organisations while encouraging participants to engage directly with banks to explore available opportunities and emphasised that institutions like MDCL could support participants in applying to secure financial support. He concluded by urging women to embrace agriculture and access financial opportunities provided by the CBN to scale their agribusiness ventures.
Read also: ‘Sustainable farming practices offer numerous benefits for smallholder farmers’
Bank Of Agriculture (BOA)
Maimuna Kida, representing the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), explained that the institution was established by law as Nigeria’s foremost agricultural development finance institution. She highlighted that women had always been active participants across the agricultural value chain in Nigeria and that BOA’s mandate is to promote and finance agricultural enterprises, with a strong emphasis on enhancing women’s participation in agribusiness.
She explained that the bank provides financial support to a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals and cooperatives, between the ages of 18 and 65. While small-scale farmers form a large part of their clientele, the BOA also supports medium and larger agricultural enterprises. To access loans, applicants are required to present guarantors and deposit ten percent (10%) of the loan amount.
Bank Of Industry (BOI)
Samira Sani from the Bank of Industry (BOI) explained that the institution provides financial support to both established businesses and start-ups across different sectors, including agribusiness. She emphasised that for an applicant to access BOI facilities, the business must be formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
She highlighted that BOI has different funding mechanisms designed to support entrepreneurs at various stages. Among these is the National Fund for SMEs, which she noted is easier to access and tailored to the needs of small-scale businesses. To improve accessibility, BOI allows two applicants applying together to serve as each other’s guarantor, which reduces the barrier of securing external guarantors.
On loan terms, she stated that the interest rate is 9%, with repayment periods ranging from three months to three years, depending on the nature and size of the loan.
Jaiz Bank Plc.
Muhammad Ahmed from Jaiz Bank Plc explained that applicants must first maintain an account with the bank to qualify for financing. He emphasised that the bank ensures applicants are genuinely engaged in business activities before granting any loan facility.
He noted that Jaiz Bank finances a wide range of businesses and provides different financing mechanisms tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs. Among these is Murabaha. This product supports the purchase of machinery, equipment, or input; and Hijara: This product is designed to support business expansion and innovation.
He assured participants that Jaiz Bank Plc. remained committed to supporting women in agribusiness through ethical and inclusive financial products that promote growth and sustainability.
Dala Microfinance Bank
Sadiya Bashir Karaye, the MFB’s MD, explained her organisation’s flexible and easy-to-access loan schemes, designed to meet the needs of women in agribusiness. She noted that the loans required minimal collateral, making them more attainable for small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs.
She also explained the adashi (contribution scheme) that enables women to pool resources together to support one another’s agribusiness and livelihood needs and emphasised the vital role of microfinance institutions in breaking down barriers that prevent women from entering and sustaining agribusiness ventures.
NIRSAL Plc:
Faiza Kabir Adamu of NIRSAL Plc. first clarified that NIRSAL Plc. was distinct from NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (MFB), explaining that NIRSAL MFB provides a minimum of N50,000 in loans. NIRSAL Plc.
She noted that NIRSAL guarantees large-scale loans of up to N500 million, all targeted within the agricultural value chain. She highlighted NIRSAL’s role in providing credit risk guarantees that de-risk agricultural lending, thereby encouraging commercial banks and other financial institutions to lend to agribusinesses.
She also reiterated that NIRSAL Plc. does not directly give out loans or physical resources but instead provides risk guarantees and insurance products that protect both farmers and lenders.
Her presentation underscored that women agripreneurs stand to benefit significantly from NIRSAL’s intervention, as these mechanisms reduce barriers to accessing finance, lower risks, and promote confidence in scaling agribusiness ventures.
Presentation on entrepreneurship & mentoring:
Jafar Umar of the NABG delivered a comprehensive presentation on the dynamics of agribusiness and the critical role women could play within its ecosystem. He began by emphasising that, like any other business, agribusiness must be fundamentally profit-driven. When asked, participants described agribusiness using terms such as ‘sustainability’ and ‘flexibility’. He stated that productivity is the ultimate aim of every business and should remain central to its strategies.
A key highlight of his presentation was his encouraging participants to join experienced entrepreneurs and established networks, rather than trying to navigate challenges alone. He explained that leveraging the knowledge, mentorship, and structure of those already successful in agribusiness would make their own journey easier, faster, and more sustainable.
Importantly, he reminded participants that membership in such platforms often requires a financial commitment, urging them to “shine their eyes” and carefully evaluate the organisation they join. He concluded by announcing that NABG and MDCL will collaborate to create easier pathways for women in agribusiness, helping them to build confidence, scale sustainably, and access the support needed to grow their ventures.
Entrepreneurship, mentoring, and storytelling session:
The mentoring session was one of the most engaging parts of the workshop, allowing participants to hear directly from experienced entrepreneurs about their journeys, lessons learnt, and the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaboration in agribusiness.
Habiba Umaru Sule-Dalhatu and Hajara Usman Nagado shared their journeys to becoming entrepreneurs. Both lawyers embarked on establishing Pelican Oils Limited (a palm oil processing company) and NAGAB Farms Limited (producers of Kuli Krakers), respectively. They both took their time to respond to questions asked by the participants, some of whom also narrated their journeys into agriculture and the challenges they were facing.
Amina Pindar Abubakar did a presentation on her “backyard farming”, showing her different species of edible vegetables, tubers and fruit. She explained that in her residence, she had over 800 sacks in which she had planted crops.
Participants’ engagement:
Participants were highly engaged throughout the workshop, as they asked relevant questions, shared experiences, and demonstrated enthusiasm to apply what they learnt.
Key areas of engagement included
Debating seedless vs. seed plants and GMO vs. organic seeds/plants. Seeking clarity on accessing ACGSF funds, particularly for civil servants and cooperatives. Asking how CBN was sensitising local farmers and exploring how MDCL and NABG could partner with the financial institutions present to ease access to finance. Networking actively, exchanging contacts, and discussing possible collaborations. Sharing personal stories made the sessions interactive and inspiring.
Outcome & achievements of the workshop:
The workshop produced tangible outcomes, including: Networking & Partnerships: Participants connected with each other and facilitators, establishing potential collaborations. Action Plans: Three groups developed and submitted practical agribusiness challenges being faced and opportunities available to pursue beyond the workshop. Mindset Shift: Participants embraced the shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness thinking. Commitment to Growth: Women expressed determination to strengthen their ventures and apply their new knowledge, and the participants agreed that they should form the 1st cohort of a series of workshops that would guide them as they pursue various activities along different agricultural value chains.
Recommendation & next steps:
Developing a step-by-step finance access guide (through MDCL & NABG) to help women navigate ACGSF and other funding opportunities, and follow-up mentoring and coaching sessions to support participants in implementing their action plans, were recommended.
Also, the need to explore peer learning platforms (e.g., WhatsApp groups, cooperatives) for participants to share progress and opportunities and the need to engage more financial institutions and value-chain actors to expand women’s access to markets and resources were emphasised, as well as the need to convene business clinics in collaboration with CBN, financial institutions and relevant bodies such as CAC, NAFDAC, SMEDAN and FIRS.
The need to leverage social media would ensure participants follow MDCL’s official handles for updates, and there is a need for real-time social media updates during events to increase visibility and attract potential collaborators and partners, in addition to creating an instant WhatsApp group during each workshop to foster immediate networking, ensure participants stay connected, and facilitate future communication.
Conclusion:
Participants demonstrated strong interest in agribusiness financing, raising critical questions on access to credit, seed technology, and the role of GMO vs. organic seeds. The financial institution provided insights into loan schemes, eligibility requirements, and the importance of cooperatives, collateral, and financial literacy.
Resource persons emphasised that agribusiness must remain profit-driven, encouraging women to leverage networks, mentorship, and collaboration. Storytelling by women agripreneurs inspired participants to embrace innovation, resilience, proper packaging, and peer-to-peer support.
The workshop ended with a renewed commitment by stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring women have improved access to finance, markets, and knowledge resources. It was concluded that with innovation, networking, and resilience, women can thrive in Nigeria’s agribusiness.
Women farmers in the northern part of Nigeria have been challenged to position themselves as a valuable tool in the ongoing quest for national food security through exploring the vast agricultural potential available in the region. opportunity
In order to do this, it has been suggested that they can become vital players in Nigerian agricultural development along the value chain by shifting away from practising agriculture as a subsistence activity to embracing it as a business.
This is the major takeaway from a one-day workshop with the theme ‘Ready to Take Your Agribusiness to the Next Level’, organised by Micro Development Consulting Limited (MDCL), a women’s development support company.
Zainab Manzzo, founder of Zahir Farm, based in Kano State, who was one of the participants in the programme, while speaking on the benefits of the event, said that empowerment training has opened her eyes to how she can harness the opportunities that are available in the agriculture sector in Nigeria.
Also, Tina Musa, who is a commodity aggregator, stated that she will be leveraging the empowerment gained to explore available windows of opportunities in the exportation of processed agro-products.
