11 Amazing Agricultural Grants in Nigeria for Agri-businesses

Small farms and businesses in Nigeria are very important for fighting hunger. But many of these businesses cannot get loans from banks, and they are too big for small loans. This creates a problem because there is a need for about 100 billion dollars loans to improve the quality of agricultural businesses generally in Africa. If we can solve this problem, it will help people have enough food to eat in the future.

In this article, we have outlined agricultural grants in Nigeria that you can apply for and get funding to expand you farming business.

Key Takeaways

• Several grant options exists for agri-business owners to take advantage of and improve their operations.
• Agri-businesses in Nigeria face a lot of challenges that involves funding and grants help to solve those challenges.

Why Agri-Businesses in Nigeria Need Funding

Agri-businesses are businesses that involves agricultural products and services. In Nigeria, they play a crucial role in the country’s economy, providing food security, employment opportunities, and contributing to rural development. However, these businesses often face significant challenges that require external funding to overcome. Funding provides numerous benefits for agricultural businesses anywhere in the world.

Here are some of the key reasons why agri-businesses in Nigeria need funding:

1. Infrastructure Development

Inadequate infrastructure, such as poor roads and limited transportation facilities, hinders the movement of agricultural products to markets. Funding can be used to improve these infrastructure facilities, reducing transportation costs and increasing market access.

2. Poor storage facilities

Lack of proper storage facilities can lead to post-harvest losses, reducing the value of agricultural produce. Funding can be used to construct or improve storage facilities, ensuring that crops are preserved and sold at optimal times.

3. Modernization of Farming Practices

Investing in modern farming technologies, such as irrigation systems, precision agriculture, and climate-smart farming techniques, can improve productivity and efficiency. Funding can be used to purchase and implement these technologies.

4. Research and Development

Funding for research and development can help agri-businesses stay ahead of the curve by developing new and improved agricultural practices, varieties, and products.

5. Market Access and Expansion

Agricultural funding can be used to develop strong brands for agricultural products and promote them effectively in both domestic and international markets. It can also be used for obtaining certifications and complying with international standards can enhance the marketability of agricultural products and attract premium prices.i

6. Working Capital and Operational Costs

Funding is essential for purchasing essential inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, to ensure efficient agricultural production. Funding can also help cover the costs of labor, including wages for farm workers and other staff.

7. Risk Management and Resilience

Agricultural funding can be used to purchase insurance coverage to protect against risks such as crop failures, natural disasters, and market fluctuations. Also, funding can also support diversification strategies to reduce the impact of market volatility and climate change.

By addressing these critical challenges, funding can help agri-businesses in Nigeria become more sustainable, profitable, and competitive. This, in turn, will contribute to the overall development of the country’s agricultural sector and improve food security.

11 Agricultural Grants in Nigeria

Several grant options exists for agri-business owners to take advantage of and improve their operations.

Here are 11 agricultural grants that are receiving proposals for funding:

• The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
• U.S. African Development and Ekiti State Government Grant
• Arrell Global Food Innovation Awards
• A Pitch AgriHack Challenge
• AYuTe Africa Challenge in Nigeria
• NIRSAL (Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending)
• GroFin Fund
• Small Grants for African Heritage Projects
• SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme
• GAIN Micro Grant for Empowerment
• N10 Million BATN Foundation Farmers for the Future Grant

1. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is a pan-African philanthropic organization founded by Tony O. Elumelu, a leading African entrepreneur. Its primary goal is to empower African entrepreneurs and foster economic growth across the continent.

Offers a 12-week entrepreneurship program to young African entrepreneurs, providing mentorship, training, and seed capital of $5,000 to all sectors including agriculture.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be startups or small businesses operating in the agricultural sector
• Business should be based in Africa
• The business owner must be 18 years or older.
• Business must have a valid business plan

How to apply

• Log into the TEF website to register and open an account
• Fill out the application form and attach a business plan
• Allow the selection process to be completed.

2. U.S. African Development and Ekiti State Government Grant

The USADF in partnership with the Ekiti State government give grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to groups of farmers or businesses that work with rice or cassava.

Eligibility Criteria

• Your startup must be registered and in operation in Nigeria.
• You have to clearly demonstrate a liking for livelihood improvement in terms of agricultural development within Ekiti State.This can be in terms of employment opportunities, food security, or even sustainable means of farming.

How to apply

• Download the application form and send the proposal to nigeriaekiti@usadf.gov
• The call for applications for this grant may periodically be announced. Check the website of the U.S. African Development Foundation

3. Arrell Global Food Innovation Awards

The Arrell Global Food Innovation Awards honor individuals and groups working to solve world hunger. They give out two $100,000 Canadian dollar prizes each year. The number of applications per organization is limited to one per award. Nomination packages are kept strictly confidential, with the identity of nominators, nominating organizations, and nominees kept in strict confidence. One prize is for researchers who have made significant advancements in food production, processing, or distribution.

These advancements help people have more food to eat and better nutrition. The other prize goes to organizations that are helping people in need have access to food and better nutrition.

Eligibility Criteria

• Citizens of any country are eligible for nomination, regardless of gender, race, religion, or residency.
• Nominations can be sent from private companies, academic institutions, governmental units, charitable foundations, and non-profit organizations.

How to apply

• Log in to the Arrell Food Institute website
• Submit a nomination for the Arrell Food Innovation Awards.
• Wait for approval of nomination.

4. A Pitch AgriHack Challenge

The Pitch AgriHack Challenge is looking for new ideas from young Nigerian entrepreneurs who want to start businesses in agriculture. Winners of the challenge get money and help to develop their ideas.

The competition is for businesses that have the potential to create jobs and help the agricultural industry in Nigeria grow. Anyone with a new idea for improving agriculture can enter the competition.

Eligibility Criteria

• A young entrepreneur between 18 and 35 years
• Startups shall be involved in the agricultural sector
• Business must be based in Nigeria
• Applicants must come up with an innovative idea or solution to address agricultural challenges.

How to apply

• Log on to the Pitch AgriHack website.
• Register and create an account.
• Fill out the application form and submit your pitch video.
• Wait to be shortlisted.
• Pitch and compete for funding and mentorship.

5. AYuTe Africa Challenge in Nigeria

Heifer International is running a competition in Nigeria called the AYuTe Africa Challenge to find and support young businesses that use technology to improve agriculture.They are looking for businesses that are led by young people and have new ideas to help small farmers.

The winners of the competition will get money to help their businesses grow. This year, the prize money is higher than last year ( from $20,000 to as high as $40,000).

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a business in the early-stage or growth-stage.
• Must be a youth-led agritech businesses/companies.
• Must have business innovative solutions that impacts smallholder farmers at scale.

To apply, go to AYuTe Africa Challenge website.

6. NIRSAL (Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending)

The NIRSAL program is a government program initiated by the Central Bank that helps farmers and businesses get loans for agriculture. The program gives banks incentives to lend money to these businesses and helps them take on the risk.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to agriculture businesses, and Value Chain Players.
• Businesses must be based in Nigeria.
• Applicants must have a valid Business plan.

How to apply

• Visit the website of NIRSAl.
• Register or open an account.
• Fill up the application form together with a business plan document.
• Wait for the selection process to be completed.

7. GroFin Fund

GroFin Fund is a program that helps small businesses in Nigeria get money and support to grow. The program focuses on businesses that are part of the agriculture industry.

The goal of GroFin Fund is to help small businesses get the money they need to expand and use new technology.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business must be SMEs operating in the agricultural value chain.
• The business must be based in Nigeria.
• Applicants must have a valid business plan.

How to apply

• Log into GroFin’s website and make your registration.
• Fill out the application form and attach the business plan.
• Wait for the selection process.

8. Small Grants for African Heritage Projects

The Heritage Management Organization gives out small grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to people and groups who are working to preserve historical and cultural sites in Africa.

These grants are part of the Heritage Management Project – Africa, which is a program called Humanities in Place.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project must be an organization, group, or individual working on heritage in Africa.
• The projects must be about the protection and/or promotion of local heritage for socio-economic development.
• The projects shall incorporate elements of sustainability, capacity development, network building, and concrete and community impact.

How to apply

• Log on to the Heritage website and fill out the concept note application form.
• Fill out the application form then wait for further instructions.

9. SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme

The SMEDAN Conditional Grant Scheme is a program by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to help small businesses in Nigeria.

The program gives grants of up to N50,000 to small businesses that are registered with SMEDAN.

Eligibility Criteria

• The business must be registered with SMEDAN.
• Business must be a micro, small, or medium enterprise MSME.
• The business should be operating in Nigeria.

How to apply

• Go to the SMEDAN website to register the business.
• Fill out the registration form, then fill it up with documents that would be required.
• Obtain an Identification Number and a Certificate from SMEDAN.
• After registering your business under SMEDAN, then you can apply for the Conditional Grant Scheme after logging into the SMEDAN website.

10. GAIN Micro Grant for Empowerment

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is giving money to Nigerian businesses that are making food that is better for people’s health. These businesses are in Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, and Oyo states and grow special crops that have more nutrients.

GAIN is giving these businesses money so they can make and sell more of this food, which will help people in Nigeria eat healthier.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Nigerian and over the age of 18.
• Individuals must have completed CAC business registration one year previously, whereas entities such as cooperatives must have done so three years prior.
• Operations must be based in the targeted states.

How to apply

• Go to the GAIN micro-grants official website and click the ‘Apply Here’ button at the bottom of the page.

11. N10 Million BATN Foundation Farmers for the Future Grant

The Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant is a premier agricultural entrepreneurship initiative designed to empower young people with promising agri-business ventures. The program provides equity-free capital, bootcamp comprehensive training, mentorship and additional support to help scale these businesses.

This initiative, created and funded by BATN (British American Tobacco Nigeria) Foundation in collaboration with the NYSC, is part of BATNF’s unwavering commitment to fostering youth engagement in sustainable agriculture.

Through this initiative, participants are trained and empowered in agro-practices that position them for long-term success in the agribusiness value chain.

The application for the Farmers for the Future program starts on August 26th, 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant should be a youth.
• Currently serving as a corp member.
• Have an agro-business idea.

How to apply

• Go to the Farmers for the future website.
• Click on the ‘Apply now’ button and sign up.

Conclusion

You have seen the extensive list of Agriculture grants available to Nigerian agric entrepreneurs that you can apply for. By addressing the major challenges faced by agric-businesses and taking advantage of the opportunities presented by agricultural grants, Nigeria can continue to strengthen its agricultural sector and achieve sustainable food security.

Leave us a comment below to share your thoughts about the different grant opportunities for agriculture and follow on Facebook @monipedia.

FAQs

References

• 10 Agricultural grants for Nigerian start-ups