The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) said it has trained 1,918 youths in different parts of the country through its Youth in Agribusiness Scheme.
The institute said the training was part of determined efforts to introduce the youths to many opportunities in agriculture to reduce unemployment and boost agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
It further disclosed that the program, which was in collaboration with the Government of the Netherlands, was to organise training sessions for beneficiaries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oyo, Kano, and Ogun states in 2023. The participants were meticulously selected based on the criteria set for the project.
The IITA which stated on Wednesday in its statement disclosed that the beneficiaries, comprising 543 new entrants to agriculture and 1,375 established business owners eager to enhance their knowledge and productivity.
It said the trainees went through comprehensive training in the value chains of different commodities, including poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, and cassava processing.
According to the institute, training was aimed at getting the participants to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills to establish successful enterprises or expand their existing businesses.
The Project which kick started In 2023, had 463 youths from Ogun State, 473 from the FCT, 476 from Oyo State, and 506 from Kano State. The training covered the production, processing, marketing, and logistics.
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Furthermore, beneficiaries were given the needed support, including access to markets, investors, finance, and inputs, as well as coaching and mentoring.
It was further noted that the project’s goal is, among other things, to train 10,000 youths between the ages of 18 and 35 in viable, sustainable agribusiness enterprises, using innovative climate-smart technologies and business practices that increase income and productivity.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr David Ekene, who spoke at the occasion, said he was excited by the training opportunity, noting that he had always loved all segments of agriculture and was privileged to be part of the training.
“This has been my old-time dream,” he noted, as he boasted that with what he learnt, he was prepared to build a business empire while ensuring that other people benefited from the knowledge he acquired,” Ekene stated.
