Call For Applications: BATCN Foundation Farmers for the Future Program 2025 (10Million Grant)

The Farmers for the Future (F4F) Grant is an Agricultural Entrepreneurship grant designed to support young people with viable Agri-Business with equity-free capital and other associated support they may require to scale their businesses.

The project is an initiative developed and sponsored by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) in partnership with NYSC and implemented by FATE Foundation. It is targeted at currently serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members – as part of BATNF’s drive to encourage and support the youth in sustainable agriculture.

Curriculum Overview

The program is a virtual program focused on capacity building on essential knowledge, strategies, skills, and tools to build sustainable businesses within the Agribusiness value chain. These sessions will be facilitated by various industry leaders and professionals across the Agribusiness and entrepreneurship ecosystem using a pedagogy approach to build networks amongst the entrepreneurs and encourage group/team work for better learning. The robust learning structure is a combination of virtual interactive class sessions, workshops, case studies, plenary sessions, and group activities.

The Farmers for the Future curriculum has been designed to provide insight and relevant knowledge to aspiring and budding entrepreneurs within the Agribusiness value chain to see diverse market potentials and understand how to create a structured business model to strategically grow their business.

The Curriculum is intensive and includes:

• Entrepreneurship Mindset
• Design thinking/innovation/problem-solving
• Developing Business Plan
• Business Model Canvass
• Product Development Strategy
• Marketing/Digital Marketing Strategy
• Managing Business Operations
• Financial Literacy
• Business pitch skills

About The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN Foundation)

The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN Foundation) is an independent charitable organization established in November 2002 by British American Tobacco Nigeria. Since its incorporation, the Foundation has established over 200 community development projects in all the 36 States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory; promoting sustainable agricultural development including good agricultural practices amongst rural farmers and providing the financial support needed to move them from subsistence to commercial farming.

Requirement

• Young Nigerians with viable Agri-Business
• Interview date, Process and Venue for BATCN Foundation Farmers for the Future Program

Stages of Competition

1. Submit Your Application

The online application portal will be available for you to send in your applications

2. Virtual Bootcamp

20 Selected businesses will go through a rigorous virtual bootcamp where they will refine their business thesis and build a compelling pitch.ts.

3. Pitch Event & Award

The top 10 businesses from the bootcamp will pitch before a panel of expert judges and investors. 3 winners will be selected.

4. Mentorship

The 3 Winners will be given financing to execute, strengthen, advance and scale their businesses under the guidance of seasoned mentors. They will also be connected to the relevant networks they require to make progress

5. Join The Farmers For The Future Alumni

Continue to enjoy exclusive access to expert mentorship, insider opportunities and a robust support network that will open doors to follow on financing, new markets, etc.

Benefits

Access to Finance:

The top 6 finalists will win an equity-free grant of NGN 10 million (3million for the first Prize, 2 million for 2nd Prize, and million for 3rd Prize)

Linkage to financial institutions and investors for follow-on financing and/or credit facilities

Winners will get technical support to establish their agribusiness

Training & Capacity Building

• Participation in an intensive “Think-through-your-business” boot camp
• Mentorship under seasoned entrepreneurs and Agric Expert.
• Membership of the F4F alumni network
• Participation in other partner-drive training programs
• Support with business registration & other legal & regulatory requirements

Follow at @batnfoundation and download the BATNF mobile app for updates.