The BATN Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its Farmers for the Future programme, Cohort 7, as part of efforts to empower young Nigerians to build sustainable agribusinesses.

In a statement, the foundation noted that it designed the initiative to help tackle food insecurity, youth unemployment and the need to diversify the country’s economy.

The statement read in part, “At a critical moment when Nigeria faces rising food insecurity, youth unemployment, and mounting pressure to diversify its economy, the Foundation’s intervention is positioning agriculture as a viable pathway for economic empowerment and long-term growth.”

According to the statement, the programme targets members of the National Youth Service Corps, providing them with equity-free funding, intensive training, mentorship and access to markets to scale their agribusiness enterprises.

The foundation launched the F4F initiative in partnership with the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Department of the NYSC in 2019. The initiative has since grown into a national platform for youth agribusiness development, leveraging the NYSC’s nationwide structure to reach corps members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The statement indicated that participants would undergo a structured development journey, beginning with business ideation and virtual bootcamps, followed by pitch sessions before industry experts. The top six finalists will share N10m in equity-free grants, alongside a year-long mentorship programme, technical assistance and access to social networks.

The foundation said the programme had recorded tangible outcomes over the past six years, including the transition of 40 beneficiaries from small-scale operations to structured agribusinesses.

Addressing the launch of Cohort 7, BATN Foundation General Manager Oludare Odusanya pointed to the transformative opportunities created by youth engagement in agriculture.

“Young people have a critical role to play in shaping the future of agriculture in Nigeria. Through the Farmers for the Future grant, we are not just providing funding; we are building a generation of resilient agripreneurs equipped to drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen food security,” Odusanya said.

The statement added that the grant aligned with the foundation’s broader mission of improving livelihoods and driving sustainable development through strategic interventions in agriculture and enterprise development.

It noted that by investing in young agripreneurs, the foundation would continue to support the development of a more productive, competitive and resilient agricultural sector capable of meeting Nigeria’s growing food needs.

The foundation urged eligible NYSC corps members across the country to take advantage of the opportunity to build sustainable, profitable and impactful agribusiness ventures by applying on its website.