Fueled by a shared vision of nurturing future agricultural leaders and boosting Nigeria’s food security, natnudO Foods, the food processing arm of Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, joined hands with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in an innovative initiative. This strategic partnership saw natnudO Foods donating 1,000 broiler chicks, feeds, and medication to the university’s Department of Agriculture, as part of its ‘Natnupreneur University Programme’.
According to a statement, the Natnupreneur University Programme is not just about raising chickens, it is about empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge to become successful agribusiness entrepreneurs. This unique initiative provides an invaluable platform for students to gain hands-on experience while contributing to their development and the university’s well-being.
Under the programme, students will rear the donated chicks to maturity, learning every step of the way. From the intricacies of proper ventilation and biosecurity to feed optimisation and meticulous record-keeping, the programme covers all aspects of broiler management. Agribusiness experts and seasoned professionals like Natnupreneur Operations Manager at natnudO Foods, Abodunrin Wasiu Adeyemi; and Technical Assistant to the Group Managing Director of Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, Alaba Yunusa, personally guided 1,600 students through the technical aspects.
Senior Account Officer at natnudO Foods, Ms. Omole Iyabo Morenike further equipped the students with essential financial skills. Budgeting, bookkeeping, and managing profit margins are the cornerstones of any successful business, and the Natnupreneur University Programme ensures students are well-equipped to navigate the financial aspect of their poultry ventures.
The programme holds immense potential for the future. As Adeyemi explained: “This initiative is about catching them young, training them as entrepreneurs with the fundamentals of raising broilers and selling them back, creating a ready market for their produce”. These skills will empower graduates to pursue their poultry businesses, contributing to increased protein availability and economic growth in Nigeria.
While receiving the 1,000 broiler birds, the Vice Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Olusola Kehinde commended natnudO Foods for the partnership and the school’s choice for the Natnupreneur initiative, which he said would boost its agricultural potential.
He added that the knowledge of poultry farming and entrepreneurship imparted to the students will further enhance their skills and equip them for the future, after graduation.
In his remarks, Professor of Monogastric Nutrition, who is also Biochemistry at FUNAAB, Prof. Fafiolu Adeboye, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership said: “We are sure that this is the way to go, and the training for our students today will go a long way in sharpening their thinking and focus, to ensure they take this as a business so that their future will be secured”.
This collaboration transcends simply donating chicks; it’s about sowing the seeds of entrepreneurial spirit and fostering a future generation of food security champions. By investing in young minds and fostering practical learning, natnudO Foods and FUNAAB are paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for Nigerian agriculture.
