Enugu State Government says it is building up the capacity of youths to lead its agro revolution.
This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mr Patrick Uburu.
Uburu, who spoke on Monday during the distribution of starter-packs to youths trained under the Songhai initiative, noted that the state was committed to achieving food sufficiency.
“What we are doing here is the continuation of distribution of agricultural items, which you are already aware has been flagged off by His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah on the 5th of this month at Okpara Square, where farm inputs, among others, were extended to our small holder farmers.
“This particular one is targeted at the youths; as a state, we have been able to train some youths in integrated farming, with our partners, Songhai, and today, we have in total trained about 600 youths; and we have 300 on training now.
“That will make it a total of about 900 youths; after training, start-up kits are provided for them in their various value chains; we have those who engage in poultry, those who engage in pig farming; even those who are into food processing, among others.
“Some have also started their own farming business and they are doing well; this is just to support them.
“After this process, we now begin to talk about agro credit for the youths.
“So the state is well prepared to ensure that our agro revolution has the youths at the centre of it; this is the vision of our governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah,” he disclosed.
He further revealed that the youths were selected from 17 LGs of the state, adding that, “we have also done post-training review, followed them to their farms; you can see the ministry team going through the team to ensure that there is no third party, just like His Excellency directed.
“I have given them words of encouragement, I have also thanked them for seeing the need of going into farming; they trust the importance the governor has attached to agriculture.
“This is not mere rhetoric, you can see the beneficiaries, and you can follow them to their farms. I have also advised them to replicate it by training others.”
In a remark, Victor Onwu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity because they would be monitored.
While appreciating the state government for the initiative, one of the beneficiaries, Lolo Chioma Chude, a crop production and poultry farmer, said they passed through integrated farming training, noting that it involved zero-waste production.
“Everything is being put to use; there is no waste in Songhai; everything is recycled.
“I’m so overwhelmed with joy; I thank the governor and the commissioner,” he added.