🚀 Event Recap: CHAIN Project Boot Camp & Award Ceremony at FUT Minna 🌍🌱
From April 28 to May 2, 2025, the Entrepreneurship Centre of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (Nigeria) hosted a dynamic boot camp and award ceremony under the CHAIN Project.
Focusing on innovation across five key food value chains, the event brought together selected talents from 53 applicants for an intensive week of idea refinement, training, and final pitching sessions.
🎉 Top 3 Innovators were honored:
🥇 Adio Seun – Powered Egg Processing: boosting efficiency in food processing
🥈 Abdulsalam Mohammed – Bio-Shell Preservative: an innovative approach to food preservation
🥉 Arum Treasure – Green Biscuits: a creative, sustainable product in the food sector
In her welcome address, Prof. Caroline O. Alenoghena, Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to talent development and innovation. She announced that the winners will sign collaboration agreements with the CHAIN Project and receive EU-endorsed certificates.
Representing CHAIN Team Lead Prof. Likita TANKO (PhD), Dr. Ladi Yunusa Bello emphasized the project’s mission to empower youth and support sustainable agrifood innovation, applauding Nigeria’s strong contribution to the consortium.
Prof. Chiemela E. Chinma, Director of Research, Innovation and Development, praised the innovators for their solutions tackling nutrition, food security, and post-harvest waste.
On behalf of participants, Musa Lawal expressed gratitude and pledged to apply the skills gained to future ventures.
💡 The CHAIN Project continues to foster collaboration, creativity, and sustainability in the agrifood sector — and this event was a true testament to that spirit.
CHAINProject ErasmusPlus AgrifoodInnovation FUTMinna Entrepreneurship FoodSecurity YouthEmpowerment SustainableAgriculture InnovationInAfrica
📢 We’re excited to announce that the CHAIN Project Newsletter 2024 is out now!
Last year was full of achievements, and this year, we’re aiming even higher to reach all our goals and more.
📬 Read the newsletter and learn more about the project on our website: https://project-chain.eu/
🌍 Day 3 Highlights from the CHAIN Project Workshop in Iași, Romania! 🌿🍇
The day kicked off with an insightful session by Oana Coca and Dragoș Robu from Universitatea de Științele Vieții „Ion Ionescu de la Brad” din Iași on Communication and Collaboration with Food Value Chain Actors — setting the tone for meaningful engagement across sectors.
🎓 The learning continued with powerful presentations by:
🔹 Dr. Stanisław Minta, Dr. Magdalena, Prof. Arkadiusz Dyjakon, and Michał
🔸 Topics included:
– Entrepreneurship & Enterprise
– Financing Economic Activities through Credit
– Business Model Canvas
– Team Management
In the afternoon, participants enjoyed a visit to the IULS Winery, where they explored the practical side of agricultural innovation, followed by a refreshing walk through the beautiful Iași Botanical Garden. 🌸🍷
Another packed and productive day full of learning, networking, and new experiences!
👏 Exciting times for the CHAIN Project team—we’ve arrived for our annual meeting! 🌍
This year, we’re thrilled to be in Romania, hosted by our partners at Universitatea de Științele Vieții „Ion Ionescu de la Brad” din Iași.
📍 On Monday (13.05.2025), the Iasi team gave the teams of Nigeria, Kenya, Togo, Poland and Germany a warm welcome and ensured a smooth start to our visit.
📍 On Tuesday (14.05.2025), we were honored to be welcomed by the Vice Presidents of IULS, followed by an inspiring campus tour across the Faculty of Agriculture.
In the afternoon, we dived into a hands-on crash course on “Value Chain Analysis and Value Chain Mapping ⛓️💥 “, expertly led by Dr. Bernd Müller and Aizhan Nasyrbekova from the HSWT team.
Huge thanks to all CHAIN members for their active participation and great collaboration throughout the workshop! Looking forward to more shared insights and innovation. 💡🤝
CHAINproject IULS UPWR AEFUNAI FUTMINNA UKara UL SEKU JOOUST HSWT Collaboration Agriculture Workshop
🌱 Empowering Agri-Entrepreneurs in Togo! 🌍
Over the course of four dynamic days (April 14–18, 2025), colleagues from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWR, Poland) delivered an intensive “Being Agri-Entrepreneur” Crash Course at the University of Kara and the University of Lomé in Togo, gathering a total of 188 engaged participants — including entrepreneurs, students, teachers, farmers, and innovators.
The training, led by Stanisław Minta, Arkadiusz Dyjakon, and Michał POL from UPWR, was organized in close cooperation with local partners under the leadership of Prof. Atti TCHABI (University of Kara) and Prof. BANITO (University of Lomé). The course focused on four key areas:
🔹 Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur, Enterprise
🔹 Team Management and Soft Skills
🔹 Marketing in Agribusiness
🔹 Business Model Canvas
Participants explored theory through interactive seminars, then immediately applied their knowledge in hands-on workshops using ‘learning by doing’ approaches such as teamwork, brainstorming, and reflective thinking. Working in small groups, they developed practical skills essential to building sustainable Food Value Chains.
👏 The energy, commitment, and creativity of all 188 participants made these sessions truly impactful. The UPWR team also provided individual consultations to support personal development and project planning.
This crash-course is part of the CHAIN project: “Cooperation for Holistic Agriculture Innovation Nests in Sub-Saharan Africa”, an Erasmus+ CBHE initiative supporting innovation and collaboration in agribusiness across the region.
CHAINproject AgriEntrepreneurship ErasmusPlus FoodValueChain Innovation TeamManagement UPWR UniversityOfKara UniversityOfLome LearningByDoing
🌱 Advancing Sustainable Protein Production through Biotechnology 🧬
We were excited to host a seminar with more than 50 participantson on “New Biotechnologies for Sustainable Protein Production in Agriculture”, organized within the CHAIN project framework by Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf and presented by Hanno Koßmann.
Highlights included:
🔬 Innovative biotech solutions in agriculture
🥩 The role of animal protein consumption in climate impact
🌍 Strategies to reduce environmental footprints while meeting global protein demand
A big thank you to Hanno Kossmann for the engaging presentation and to all attendees for their active participation!
SustainableAgriculture Biotechnology CHAINProject ProteinTransition ClimateImpact HSWT FoodSystems
🚀 INVENTORS WEEK 2025 — Call for Innovators!
Proud to announce that FUTMINNA (INFO UNIT), in collaboration with the CHAIN Erasmus+ Project, is launching Inventors Week 2025 with the theme:
🎯 Food Value Chain Enhancement
We’re looking for innovations in:
🌾 Crop Production
🐄 Animal Production
🍽️ Food Processing
🌰 Shea Processing
🍬 Confectionery
Here’s what to expect:
📍 Bootcamp: 28th – 30th April 2025
📍 Pitching Day: 2nd May 2025
📍 Venue: FUT-Minna Entrepreneurship Centre, Main Campus
🏆 Prize: Support for the top 3 innovators
This is an incredible opportunity to turn your idea into impact — selected innovators will receive targeted training and collaboration support.
📌 Register here by 6th April 2025: https://lnkd.in/gcFXWFZk
📄 See flyer for full details!
CHAINProject ErasmusPlus FUTMINNA InventorsWeek2025 FoodInnovation AgriTech Entrepreneurship AfricaInnovation StartupSupport HigherEducation
📢 Call for Research Papers: Climate Change and Agri-Food Value Chain Management 🌍🌱 We are pleased to invite researchers to contribute to a Topical Collection in Discover Sustainability (Springer Nature, CiteScore: 4.0, Impact Factor: 2.4) on “Climate Change and Agricultural and Food Value Chain Management.”
This Collection welcomes empirical, methodological, and theoretical contributions exploring the intersection of climate change and agri-food value chain management. Researchers from diverse disciplines are encouraged to submit, including:
🌾 Agriculture & Agribusiness
📊 Economics, Finance & Management
🌎 Environmental Science & Climatology
🔬 Food Science & Technology
🎣 Fisheries & Aquaculture
📡 Information & Communication Technology
📜 Policy Studies & Sociology
We invite research papers, research notes, reviews, perspectives, and technical notes. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to maintain high ethical and academic standards.
🔹 Submission Period: March 1 – December 1, 2025
🔹 Learn more & submit: https://lnkd.in/gfj-3pze
🔹 Learn more about submission guidelines: https://lnkd.in/gcymyAkz
Please consider submitting or sharing this opportunity with your network to support research on sustainable agri-food systems in the face of climate change.
#ClimateChange #Sustainability #Agriculture #FoodSystems #Research #CallForPapers #SpringerNature #DiscoverSustainability
🚀 Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Studies in Food Value Chain Management in Nigeria! 🌾
Applications are now open for two innovative Master’s degree programmes focused on Food Value Chain Management, offered by Federal University of Technology,
Minna (FUTMINNA (INFO UNIT) ) and Alex Ekweme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI). These programs are designed in a frame of CHAIN Erasmus+Project to equip graduates and professionals with cutting-edge skills and knowledge to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beyond.
🌟 Highlights of the Programmes:
📍 FUTMINNA:
The Master’s Degree Programme in Food Value Chain Management fosters academic excellence and entrepreneurial growth. With a curriculum tailored to enhance skills in managing and advancing food value chains, this programme prepares students to make significant impacts in the agri-food sector.
🗓️ Application Deadline: 10th March 2025
📌 Visit the admissions portal for details and to apply: https://lnkd.in/gx5NvZPd
📍 AE-FUNAI:
The Master’s Degree in Agribusiness with Specialization in Food Value Chain Management is an industry-driven course offering advanced training in food value chain analysis, agribusiness strategies, sustainability practices, and digital technologies. Practical skills are honed through incubation programs and case studies, preparing graduates for leadership roles in ensuring food security and driving economic growth.
🗓️ Application Deadline: 1st March 2025
📌 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gkxyP6ZA
🎯 Whether you’re a professional seeking to advance your career or a graduate passionate about sustainable agriculture and food systems development, these programs are your gateway to impactful opportunities.
📢 Don’t miss this chance to become a leader in the agri-food sector! Apply today and take the first step toward transforming the future of agriculture and food systems in Nigeria and beyond.
#PostgraduateStudies #newMasterCourse #FoodValueChainManagement #Agribusiness #SustainableAgriculture #Nigeria #FUTMinna #AEFUNAI #InnovationInAgriculture
🎉 The 3rd International Conference of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (ICAAT) was successfully hosted by the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) 🌾 in collaboration with the CHAIN Project 🌍, at Federal University of Technology Minna, (FUTMINNA), Nigeria, from December 1st to 4th, 2024.
Under the theme “Integrated Approaches to Achieving Food Security through Artificial Intelligence and Effective Policy Implementation” 🤖📜, the Conference brought together researchers, policymakers, industry practitioners, and stakeholders to tackle pressing issues in agriculture and food security.
💡 Key discussions focused on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the critical need for effective policy frameworks to boost agricultural productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
📚 Exciting news! CHAIN project members from FUTMINNA proudly presented the new Master’s program “Food Value Chain Management”, set to launch in September 2025 🚀🎓
We are excited to see how these innovative ideas and programs will shape the future of agriculture and food security🌟
hashtagCHAINProject hashtagICAAT2024 hashtagFoodSecurity hashtagArtificialIntelligence hashtagAgriculture hashtagSustainability hashtagFutureOfFarming
🚀 On 28th November 2024, the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), a proud partner in the Erasmus+ “CHAIN” Project (Cooperation for Holistic Agriculture Innovation Nests in Sub-Saharan Africa), hosted a remarkable Dissemination Seminar at its Main Campus in Kitui County, Kenya. The event attended by over 200 students and staff was graced by Dr. Bernd Müller Muller, CHAIN Project Coordinator from Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), who delivered a powerful keynote on HSWT programs and CHAIN’s objectives, highlighting the transformative power of international collaboration 🌍 🤝 in building sustainable food value chains 🌾
hashtaghswt hashtagweihenstephan hashtagtriesdorf hashtagseku hashtagkenya hashtagchainerasmus
On November 26th, 2024, the Chain Erasmus Project team from JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (JOOUST), hosted a highly engaging dissemination event attended by 100 participants, including students, staff, and stakeholders. The session, led by Dr. Bernd Müller from Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) 🌍 , alongside dedicated project members from JOOUST, provided an update on the project’s progress and a platform for meaningful stakeholder interaction 🤝
Key discussions centered on innovation, collaboration, and the impactful potential of the CHAIN Project. A highlight was the curriculum development of the “Master of Science Degree in Agricultural Commodities Value Chain Management” 📚 , which has now met all university requirements and been submitted for accreditation to the Commission for University Education (CUE), the national accreditation body for accreditation✅
The target is to clear accreditation by the end of 2024, advertise the program by February for the inaugural admission by May 2025 📢 Together with our partners, we are paving the way for transformative education and innovation in agricultural value chains 🌱🚀!
JOOUST Facebook post: https://lnkd.in/d4aXHpbH
JOOUST Twitter: https://lnkd.in/dEx2N-4J
We are delighted to share that the Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) 🎓🌾 recently hosted Dr. Andreas Springer-Heinze, President of the International ValueLinks Association e.V. 🌍 , for an insightful lecture titled ” Analyzing and promoting agro-based value chains” 🚜🌱 as part of the Erasmus+ Chain Project. Dr. Springer-Heinze emphasized the significance of analytical methods in enhancing value chains, providing our 2nd and 3rd-semester Master Farm Management students 🎓 with valuable perspectives. The session was expertly moderated by Dr. Bernd Müller, who, along with the HSWT team, looks forward to continued collaboration 🤝 🚀 with the International ValueLinks Association e.V.
chain consortium weihenstephan triesdorf jooust seku farmingsystemskenya universitedelome universitedekara aefunai futminna upwr iuls
It’s a race against time! #CHAIN Project participants are tackling the Hackathon challenge, and the jury is ready to pick the best idea. Who will come out on top? 
#ErasmusPlus #RewardAwaits #Hackathon #SEKU #JOOUST #FSK #LOME #HWST #FUTMINNA #KARA #IULS #UPWR #AEFUNAI
🌱🌍 Breaking continental boundaries with ERASMUS+ CHAIN project! 🚀 New consultative group meetings in Kenya! 🌱🌍
Recently, an IULS delegation returned from a fascinating and highly productive working visit to Kenya, interacting with South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), two esteemed partners in the CHAIN project. 🤝🇰🇪
💡At the core of the CHAIN project lies the ambition to establish a groundbreaking master’s program focused on the food value chain, championing entrepreneurial spirit, and nurturing collaborative innovation hubs tailored to the specific needs of agricultural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The IULS delegation, comprising key project team members including Prof. Gavril Ștefan, Prof. Dan Bodescu, and Lect. Oana Coca, alongside the private partner Răzvan Diaconu – founder & owner at Dicor Land, delved into a series of enriching activities throughout the visit: 🌿
✅ engaging tours of the host universities, visits to farms, and interactive sessions in educational and research laboratories🏣 🧑🏻💼
✅ dynamic focus group sessions, featuring engaging workshops and thematic discussions with a diverse array of stakeholders from the realms of holistic agriculture innovation and business transformation, including farmers, agribusiness representatives, RDI organizations, financial institutions, cultural and religious bodies, and public administration👩🏾🔬👨🏿🌾 🗓️
✅ immersive visits to specialized farms focusing on mango cultivation, goat farming, sericulture, cricket farming, and their integration into the food industry 🥭🦗🐐🐟
✅ a cultural, historical, and leisurely tour through the regions surrounding the two universities 🏛️🦒🦁
Heartfelt gratitude goes out to the warm hosts at SEKU and JOOUST universities for their exceptional hospitality and seamless organization of the activities. 🙏🙏🙏
Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative Erasmus project! 🌿🌍🚀🌟
CHAIN Workshop “The Future of Food Value Chain Management”
