2-Week Training Outline: Agricultural Production, Agribusiness Model & Export

Comprehensive 2-week (10 working days) training outline for “Agricultural Production, Agribusiness Model, and Export,” designed to be intensive and practical, especially relevant in the Nigerian context.

Target Audience: Aspiring farmers, existing farmers looking to scale, agribusiness entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in agricultural export.

Overall Goal: To equip participants with foundational knowledge and practical skills in modern agricultural production, developing viable agribusiness models, and understanding the requirements for exporting agricultural products.

2-Week Training Outline: Agricultural Production, Agribusiness Model & Export

Week 1: Foundations in Agricultural Production & Local Agribusiness

• Day 1: Introduction & The Nigerian Agricultural Landscape
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Welcome, Introductions, Course Objectives.
    • Overview of Agriculture in Nigeria: Opportunities, Challenges, Key Sub-sectors (Crops, Livestock, Fisheries).
    • Government Policies & Support Systems for Agriculture in Nigeria (CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, NIRSAL, FMARD).
    • Importance of Agriculture in Economic Diversification.
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Introduction to Sustainable Agricultural Practices.
    • Understanding Climate Change and its Impact on Nigerian Agriculture.
    • Basics of Farm Safety and Biosecurity.
    • Activity: SWOT Analysis of Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector.
• Day 2: Modern Crop Production Techniques I – Soil & Seeds
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Soil Science Basics: Types of Soil in Nigeria, Soil Testing, pH Management.
    • Soil Preparation Techniques: Tillage vs. No-Till Farming.
    • Soil Fertility Management: Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers, Composting.
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Seed Selection: Improved Varieties, Hybrids, GMOs (Contextual discussion).
    • Seed Treatment and Germination Techniques.
    • Planting Methods: Direct Sowing vs. Transplanting, Spacing.
    • Practical/Visit: Soil testing demonstration or visit to a local farm supplies store.
• Day 3: Modern Crop Production Techniques II – Water, Pests & Weeds
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Water Management: Rainfall Patterns in Nigeria, Irrigation Techniques (Drip, Sprinkler, Furrow).

* Water Conservation Strategies.

Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):

* Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Identifying Common Pests & Diseases.

* Safe Use of Pesticides and Alternatives (Biological Control).

* Weed Management Strategies: Manual, Chemical, Cultural.

* Case study on managing a specific crop pest (e.g., Fall Armyworm).

• Day 4: Introduction to Livestock Production & Management
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Overview of Key Livestock Sectors in Nigeria (Poultry, Cattle, Goats/Sheep, Aquaculture).
    • Breed Selection and Basic Animal Husbandry.
    • Housing and Environmental Requirements.
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Feeds and Feeding Management: Ration Formulation, Feed Sources.
    • Basic Animal Health: Disease Prevention, Vaccination Schedules, Biosecurity.
    • Introduction to Aquaculture (Fish Farming) basics.
    • Visit/Guest Speaker: Visit a local poultry or fish farm, or have a veterinarian speak.
• Day 5: Introduction to Local Agribusiness & Value Chains
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • What is Agribusiness? Moving Beyond Subsistence Farming.
    • Identifying Business Opportunities in Agriculture (Input Supply, Production, Processing, Marketing).
    • Understanding Agricultural Value Chains: Key Actors and Linkages.
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Basic Record Keeping and Farm Management.
    • Introduction to Local Markets: Accessing Buyers, Pricing Strategies.
    • Introduction to Cooperative Farming and Farmer Associations.
    • Activity: Mapping the value chain for a common Nigerian crop (e.g., Cassava or Rice).

Week 2: Scaling Up, Business Models & Export Focus

• Day 6: Post-Harvest Management & Basic Processing
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Importance of Reducing Post-Harvest Losses.
    • Harvesting Techniques for Different Crops/Products.
    • Cleaning, Sorting, and Grading.
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Storage Techniques: Traditional vs. Modern (Silos, Cold Storage).
    • Introduction to Value Addition: Basic Processing Techniques (Drying, Milling, Packaging).
    • Food Safety Basics (HACCP principles introduction).
    • Practical/Visit: Demonstration of a small-scale processing technique or visit to a storage facility.
• Day 7: Developing a Sustainable Agribusiness Model
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • The Business Model Canvas for Agribusiness.

* Identifying Your Target Market and Customer Segments.

* Defining Your Value Proposition.

 * Developing Key Activities, Resources, and Partnerships.

*Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):

* Cost Structure and Revenue Streams in Agribusiness.

 * Basic Financial Projections: Budgeting, Cash Flow.

* Sources of Finance for Agribusiness in Nigeria (BoA, BoI, Grants, Private Equity).

* Participants start drafting a Business Model Canvas for their chosen agricultural venture.

• Day 8: Quality Standards, Certification & Packaging for Market Access
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Importance of Quality Standards (Local and International).
    • Introduction to relevant Nigerian standards (SON, NAFDAC).
    • Overview of International Certifications (e.g., GlobalG.A.P., Organic, Fair Trade).
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Packaging for Preservation and Marketing Appeal.
    • Labeling Requirements (Local and Export).
    • Traceability in the Food Supply Chain.
    • Guest Speaker: Representative from SON/NAFDAC or a certified exporter.
• Day 9: Introduction to Agricultural Export
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Why Export? Benefits and Challenges.
    • Identifying Exportable Agricultural Products from Nigeria (e.g., Cocoa, Sesame, Cashew, Ginger, Yam).
    • Researching International Markets: Demand, Pricing, Competition.
    • Key Regulatory Bodies for Export in Nigeria (NEPC, NAQS, Customs).
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Export Documentation Requirements (e.g., Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Bill of Lading).
    • Understanding Incoterms.
    • Export Prohibitions and Restrictions.
    • Activity: Researching export requirements for a specific product to a target country.
• Day 10: Export Logistics, Finance & Course Wrap-up
  • Morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):
    • Modes of Transport for Export (Sea Freight vs. Air Freight).
    • Working with Freight Forwarders and Clearing Agents.
    • Export Payment Methods (Letter of Credit, Advance Payment, etc.).
    • Accessing Export Financing (NEXIM Bank, Commercial Banks).
  • Afternoon (1:30 PM – 4:00 PM):
    • Risk Management in Export.
    • Final Q&A and Review Session.
    • Presentation of Certificates.
    • Networking Opportunity.

Methodology: Lectures, interactive discussions, case studies, practical demonstrations, site visits (where feasible), guest speakers, group activities, and individual planning exercises.

Materials: Handouts, presentation slides, sample documents (export forms, business model canvas), access to relevant online resources.