Victor EzejaTo boost human capital in the agricultural sector, Enugu State Government has set out to sponsor a training programme for 260 youths drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of the state who are interested in farming.
The training programme whch will take place at Keffi, Nasarawa State, will offer the beneficiaries opportunity to acquire requisite skills in various aspects of modern agriculture to enable them contribute in boost food productivity.
Special adviser to the state governor on agriculture, Michael Ogbuekwe made the disclosure on Thursday, while addressing the beneficiaries at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, shortly before their departure to the place of training.
Ogbuekwe said the training will last for two weeks at CSS Global Integrated Farms in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
He explained that the prigramme is part of the efforts of Enugu State government led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to empower the youths and enable them gain knowledge and experience in modern agriculture in line with international best practices.
“We want our people to gather skills that they can give back to the ecosystem, the agricultural system,” Ogbuekwe stated.
The governor’s aide indicated that the 260 participants in the training would learn modern techniques in agriculture that would be replicated back home in the state.
“What we want to achieve, according to the policies and programmes of our Governor, is that we want our rural communities to be the engine room of the economic development of our state.
“With the knowledge-based experience to be acquired from the training, we can see our young ones becoming business entrepreneurs with high standard of operations in the agricultural value chain.
“So, at the end of the day, we should see the products of this effort and expect to see partnership among these youths.
“We expect to see our youths keying into the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) programmes, state grants, among others, to develop into successful agro-businessmen and women,” he stated.
Ogbuekwe noted that agriculture contributes greatly to the Gross Domestic Product of national, state and local economies, hence the quest to boost activities in the sector.
One of the beneficiaries, Chidiebere Emehelu, an entrepreneur in food processing, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for giving them the opportunity to further develop their skills in agriculture.
Emehelu noted that agriculture is a big market with enormous opportunities, especially for the youth.
She said the training programme would offer the participants a veritable platform to acquire more experience and boost food production not just in Enugu State but Nigeria and Africa in general.
Another beneficiary, Izuchukwu Obiekwe , applauded the governor for the initiative.
He said, “This opportunity is giving us a lifetime goal. We thank our governor for the great opportunity and promise to do Enugu State proud over there.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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