2.5m Youths to Receive Training on Agro-biz in South-east

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

In response to the lingering economic meltdown culminating in the increasing spate of retrenchments within the organised private sector, no fewer than 2.5 million youths drawn from five South-east states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have been shortlisted for training in various agricultural businesses.

The scheme entitled “500/1 (Youth Agripreneur Training programme) & Agric Startup Kits” will be officially launched in Enugu next week.

In a joint press release by organisers of the programme; Agric Information Centre & Community Radio project, African Youth Rehabilitation Initiative (AYRI), an NGO and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), the exercise is aimed at promoting youth involvement in agriculture.

The project will shortlist, train and equip minimum of 500 youths as ‘agriprenuers’ from each of the five Eastern States of Nigeria. The release noted that several government efforts at boosting agricultural production as a way of diversifying the nation’s economy, creating employment and ensuring food security failed because of non-involvement of youths.

“This new initiative will promote youth involvement in agriculture and also enhance their capacity to deploy scientific knowledge, information and technology in bringing about agribusiness growth and development in South East Nigeria,” the statement noted.