Abuja: The Delta Government has commenced an agribusiness training programme targeting over 1,000 youths across the state. The initiative, announced by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Val Arenyeka, is aimed at transforming youth involvement in agriculture from subsistence farming to commercially viable enterprises.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training programme was launched during a three-day event in Ughelli. Arenyeka emphasized agriculture as a crucial avenue for wealth creation, employment, and economic development. He highlighted the programme’s objectives of creating jobs and stimulating local economies by engaging youths in agriculture.
Arenyeka also noted that the initiative is expected to attract private investment and enhance the state’s contribution to Nigeria’s food security and foreign exchange earnings. He encouraged youths to explore opportunities within agriculture, asserting that farming has evolved into a profitable venture capable of producing wealthy individuals.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is committed to economic strengthening through strategic investments in agriculture and youth empowerment. The government aims to transition young people from government dependency to self-reliant entrepreneurs and employers.
The commissioner pointed out Delta’s natural endowments of fertile land and favorable climate, urging participants to leverage these advantages for crop cultivation with minimal artificial inputs. The first phase of the training focuses on cocoa, coffee, cotton, and ginger, which offer substantial opportunities for value addition and investment.
Approximately 1,000 youths will benefit in the programme’s initial phase, with plans for expansion to include more participants. Arenyeka commended Governor Oborevwori for his dedication to youth empowerment and increased agricultural participation.
Mr. George Oyefia, the Special Adviser to the governor on Agriculture, encouraged youths to view agriculture as a path to wealth and economic independence. As a programme facilitator, he showcased equipment like a mini tractor and a chaff cutter to emphasize practical skill acquisition.
The programme will provide participants with seedlings for various crops, including cocoa, cotton, coffee, and ginger, to support their agricultural endeavors. Mr. Israel Yusuf, a resource person, highlighted the focus on market access, value addition, and investment readiness for the four high-export-value commodities targeted by the training.
Participants, including Duchess Ikpasa and Kesiah Idodo, expressed gratitude and optimism about the programme’s potential to empower them for self-employment and expand their agricultural knowledge and activities.