The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Programme and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, has conducted a business training programme for micro entrepreneurs in Taraba State. The initiative is aimed at improving enterprise capacity, supporting income generation, and strengthening small business participation in agricultural value chains.
According to organisers, the programme targets women and youth engaged in small-scale agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises. Participants received training on basic business management, record keeping, value addition, and market access, to help them transition from informal micro activities into more structured and sustainable businesses.
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Officials stated that the programme forms part of ongoing efforts to address unemployment and low productivity by strengthening entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Building skills for small business sustainability
Micro and small enterprises remain a major source of livelihood in Taraba State, particularly in farming communities. However, limited access to business knowledge and structured support has constrained growth and profitability.
The training sessions focused on practical areas such as cost management, pricing, customer relations, and cooperative development. Participants were also introduced to opportunities within agricultural value chains, including processing, storage, and distribution, which can increase income beyond primary production.
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SMEDAN representatives explained that equipping entrepreneurs with these skills is essential for improving business survival rates and encouraging formalisation. Formal businesses, they noted, are better positioned to access credit, government programmes, and larger markets.
Linking micro enterprises to value chains
IFAD-VCDP officials highlighted the importance of integrating small businesses into structured value chains to reduce post-harvest losses and improve earnings. By connecting producers and micro entrepreneurs to processors and buyers, the programme seeks to create stable market opportunities.
Participants were encouraged to form clusters and cooperatives to strengthen bargaining power and reduce operational costs. The organisers stated that collective action remains one of the most effective tools for small businesses to scale operations and manage risks.
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Implications for Nigeria’s SME development agenda
The training aligns with national efforts to support SMEs as drivers of employment and economic activity. Government officials have repeatedly identified skills development as a priority for improving productivity and reducing poverty, particularly in rural areas.
Analysts say that programmes like this are most effective when combined with access to finance, infrastructure support, and continuous mentoring. Without follow-up support, many microenterprises struggle to apply new skills in challenging operating environments.
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The Federal Government stated that similar training programmes will continue across other states to strengthen micro and small businesses nationwide.
As Nigeria seeks inclusive economic growth, initiatives that build SME capacity at the grassroots level are expected to play a central role in supporting livelihoods and expanding local production.
