FG Trains 400 Unemployed Youths In Agriculture

Sunday, 25 August 2013 00:00 From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief) News - National

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THE Federal Government has commenced the training of, at least, 400 unemployed youths in agriculture as part of its efforts to boost the sector and facilitate economic development.
   The training programme, which is also an effort towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the Millennium Development Goals Office.
   The training, which is expected to last for two weeks, began in Zaria on Monday and will continued till August 31.
  The participants are to be exposed to another one-week practical training in their various states, where they will engage in agricultural activities.
   The trainees, mostly unemployed graduates, were drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The selection was the State Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs).
  The first batch, comprising 200 who began training last week, were the first set to be trained by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in extension skills, agri-business skills as envisioned by the Agricultural Development Agenda (ATA) document, which lay emphasis on operational dictates of the value-chain in agriculture.
   Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Dr. Ismaila Ilu, urged the participants to see the training as an opportunity to improve on their lives and that of the entire country.
   Ilu explained: “Theoretical understanding of development issues, especially in agriculture is not enough to empower any individual. There is need for practical exposure, which the training will fundamentally deliver through visitation to rural farmers.”
  He urged the participants to be more inquisitive in the course of the training by asking questions, adding: “The success of any extension work requires critical probing through genuine interpersonal discussion and the exploitation of other communication channels by the agents.”
   Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, who was represented by the Regional Director, Mr. Nyam Yusuf Leo, advised the participants to take advantage of the training and empower themselves to full capacity.