(Ecofin Agency) - The Corporate Farmers International Limited (CFIL) and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, have unveiled plans to launch the first Agric reality show in Nigeria by September.

This show which will feature 20 contestants, aims to showcase the agricultural potential of young Nigerians. According to Akin Alabi, a Co-Founder of CFIL, the TV reality show also aims to address perception problems in Africa’s agribusiness sector. “This show will showcase the talents of Nigerian youths to the government in terms of agricultural potential, as it works to diversify the economy. We decided to partner with Tony Elumelu Foundation because we want to create a standard with entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector so as to push youths to believe that they can develop the African economy. The programme will run for four weeks at IITA premises in Ibadan and the contestants will be engaged in several activities and training,’’ he said.

Alabi noted that the project would be extended to other countries in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. “The good thing about the show is that everyone will go home with something. The winners will not be given cash but will be empowered in any of the agricultural value chains of their interest,’’ he added.

CFIL, in partnership with the other organizations, will also select three or four winners from the show for training overseas.

Yukio Yamamoto, Joint Project Manager at IITA and TAIYO Industry Afric Inc., a Japan-based company, explained that the reality TV show is a gateway to attract attention, investments and youths to agriculture in Nigeria and Africa in general.

Anita Fatunji