The Youth In Agribusiness (YAS) project of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on Friday distributed farm inputs and equipment to over 200 youths who participated in its training. The beneficiaries were trained in aquaculture, poultry and horticulture.
The inputs were to enable young farmers to scale up their agribusinesses.
Speaking to participants during the distribution event held at IITA Kano office, the YAS Project Coordinator, Mr Adebayo Awotodunbo, said the project was executed with funding support by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
According to him, the aim of the project is to support young farmers to scale-up their production capacity as well as empower those with little or no knowledge in agriculture to embrace it and become self-dependent and employers of labour.
He explained that the beneficiaries grouped into 36 clusters received training in various aspects, adding that the input distribution was a way of empowering them to grow in their chosen agribusiness.
He explained that the beneficiaries grouped into 36 clusters received training in various aspects, adding that the input distribution was a way of empowering them to grow in their chosen agribusiness.
Advising the beneficiaries, IITA Station Admin, Malam Ado Rabo, urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves lucky and make good use of the input given to them.
He also urged them to be good ambassadors of the youth.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdul Nuhu, revealed that the project had exposed many of the participants to numerous opportunities in agribusiness.
He noted that he had established a strong tie with the institute because he had seen the opportunities inherent in agribusiness. He urged all participants to judiciously use the opportunity given to them to financially build themselves.