Celebrating World Food Day 2026: Interview With A Young Agripreneur

 

My name is Sandra Victor Gwafan, and I am an agripreneur based in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Through DeBranch Farmers Ltd, I work across the agricultural value chain, particularly in rice and other grains, supporting smallholder farmers through aggregation, processing, and value addition. My work in agriculture is driven by a desire to help farmers move beyond producing crops to earning better incomes from their harvests.

 

 

One of the biggest challenges is access to affordable finance, modern equipment, and reliable markets. Women contribute significantly to agriculture, but many still lack the resources and opportunities needed to grow their businesses. It can be frustrating to see farmers work so hard, only to sell their produce at low prices because they lack access to storage and processing facilities.

 

 

There are moments when the challenges feel overwhelming, especially with rising costs, unpredictable weather, and uncertainty about the market. It can be discouraging when you invest so much effort and resources without knowing what the returns will be. But these experiences have also taught me resilience and reminded me why supporting farmers is so important.

 

 

What keeps me going is the knowledge that agriculture can change lives when farmers have the right opportunities. I have seen how hard farmers work to feed our communities, yet many still struggle to earn a decent living. Through DeBranch Farmers Ltd, we are working to bring processing and value addition facilities closer to farming communities so farmers can retain more value from their produce. Knowing that our work can improve livelihoods, particularly for women and young people, gives me the courage to keep going.

 

 

Affordable financing, access to modern equipment, climate smart farming support, reliable markets, and processing facilities closer to farms would make a significant difference. Women farmers also need more opportunities for training, mentorship, and access to business networks. Above all, farmers need systems that recognise their hard work and enable them to earn fairly from what they produce. With the right support, agriculture can become a more rewarding and sustainable livelihood for young people and women.