Catch them young: FG engages youths in agribusiness initiative

The federal government under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-One (ATASP-1) has engaged 200 youths drawn from its four zonal catchment areas under its Youth in Agribusiness Incubation programme tagged ‘My Farm My Swag’.

Speaking during the Kano/Jigawa zone opening ceremony, the National Project Coordinator ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Muhammed Arabi stated that the project is designed to engage youths in agribusiness initiatives along the value chain of some selected crops as a step forward in incubating young agribusiness practitioners.

Represented during the event by ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr Kunle Alege said the project is training 50 youth from each zone on various aspects that deal with the selected crops thereby making a total of 200 in all adding that the youths will be trained on modern business running strategies as well as in all necessary techniques needed to coordinate and operate a successful agribusiness setting.

“The training will basically be more practical than theoretical and it is going to be along the value chain of rice, cassava, and sorghum. After the training, the beneficiaries will continue to be monitored and also assisted in accessing funds that will enable them to be fully involved in the practice. This move has become necessary taking into consideration the age bracket of our current farmers,” he said.

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Similarly, the Head of Station, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Alpha Kamara urged the youths to effectively put into practice what they will learn and also concentrate on becoming self-reliant through agriculture.

Represented at the event by IITA Station Administrative Manager, Malam Ado Rabo, Dr Kamara encouraged the participating youths to endeavour to visit the IITA website to access various opportunities and information that would effectively shape their chosen field.