In a bid to address some innovative ideas across the agricultural value chain and help accelerate and create new opportunities for young female entrepreneurs in the sector, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, GEN Nigeria and Mastercard Foundation, have strengthened the Agro-Hack Challenge initiative by rewarding twelve female-led agro firms in Nigeria.
At the 5th edition of the Agro-Hack Challenge held at the EDC office recently, All Green Limited emerged the winner and won the grand prize of one million Naira (N1, 000,000). In second place, Glorious Farm Gate won the sum of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N750,000) while Vickey Goshen Eco Farm emerged second runner-up with the sum of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000).
Meanwhile, nine other firms were rewarded with a sum of one hundred thousand (N100,000) each for participating in the challenge.
Participating firms across the 6 geo-political zones in Nigeria at the 5th edition of the Agro-Hack Challenge includes: Market AI, Juvison Enterprise, Glorious Farm Gate, Elafagon Nigeria Limited, Vickey Goshen Eco Farm, Yar Galadimas Business Empire, Sehaj Energy Resource, Mrs Muna Rice Shield, Triple A, Farm Box, Awari Olounge Omode and All Green Ivy Limited.
Speaking during the pitch session, Dr Nnena Ugwu Head of Alumni Relations and Support Services/ Member of EDC Management Board stated that “This event is organized to see how they can help to address innovative ideas across the agricultural value chain and help accelerate and create new opportunity for these very young Nigerians particularly, the female-led agro value chain companies.”
According to her, “The programme was initially designed for both male and female led agro businesses but this one is only female led agro businesses. It is a segment that we are interested in because women are not really interested in agricultural business and to encourage them, we have to design a programme to address their needs.”
So, they go through different accelerator programmes such as boot camp, mentoring sessions to help them with business support and on how to navigate the challenges associated with agro value chain in Nigeria and globally.
Agro-hack challenge is organized by EDC and GEN Nigeria in partnership with Mastercard Foundation to assist female entrepreneurs and SMEs navigate the murky waters of the agricultural value chain while empowering and transforming young Nigerians especially, the female-led agro businesses.
