Exciting opportunities are blooming for thousands of young people in Ondo State as a transformative agricultural program enters its ambitious new phase, promising to change lives and strengthen communities across the region.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development's Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises–Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project has announced its expansion, targeting an impressive 14,800 youth beneficiaries through 2028. This heartening development represents a significant scale-up from the program's successful first phase, which already lifted over 4,000 people toward economic independence.

What makes this initiative particularly inspiring is its commitment to inclusive growth. More than half of the beneficiaries will be young women, recognizing their vital role in agricultural transformation and community development. Additionally, five percent of spots are specifically reserved for persons living with disabilities, ensuring that opportunity reaches those who have traditionally faced barriers to economic participation.

Dr. Ademola Olawale, the State Project Coordinator, shared the exciting details during a media engagement in Akure, expressing optimism about the program's expanded reach. The initiative focuses on four promising agricultural sectors: cocoa, fishery, poultry, and cassava—all areas where Ondo State has natural advantages and market potential.

The program's approach is refreshingly comprehensive. Rather than simply providing funding, it offers holistic support that sets young entrepreneurs up for genuine success. Beneficiaries receive intensive three-month training programs that cover everything from production techniques to processing methods and marketing strategies. Following training, participants receive either cash grants or equipment tailored to their specific business needs, ensuring each person gets the right tools to thrive.

The new phase introduces an innovative Business Development Service component, where 9,000 participants will receive specialized support from professional agencies and corporate bodies. This addition complements the existing incubator model, where experienced farmers mentor 5,800 new "incubatees," creating a rich ecosystem of knowledge transfer and practical guidance.

Daniel Omoniyi, a beneficiary from Igoba Community in Akure North, embodies the program's success stories. His enthusiastic endorsement of the initiative reflects the real-world impact it's having on young people's lives. He encourages other eligible youth to seize this opportunity, recognizing it as a genuine pathway out of poverty.

The program's success stems partly from strong governmental support. Dr. Olawale praised the Ondo State Government for providing security, creating conducive working environments, and ensuring consistent counterpart funding—all essential ingredients for the program's sustainability.

Bolanle Akinyede, the State Rural Institution Gender and Youth Officer, emphasized that lessons learned from the first phase have been incorporated into the new design, making it even more effective and responsive to beneficiaries' needs.

By focusing on rural poverty reduction and positive economic transformation, the LIFE-ND Project represents more than just agricultural training—it's about dignifying work, building confidence, and creating a generation of young entrepreneurs who will drive their communities forward. As these 14,800 young people establish their enterprises over the next three years, they'll be planting seeds not just in fields, but in the future prosperity of Ondo State itself.