AfDB, FG, TRAIN 50 ENUGU, ANAMBRA YOUTHS IN AGRIBUSINESS INCUBATION
REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE
The Federal Government through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase One (ATASP-1), has trained over 50 youths from Enugu and Anambra States on agribusiness incubation along the value chain of rice and cassava.
The youths, who were selected from eight participating local government areas under ATASP-1, Adani-Omor zone coverage area, are participating in the 10-day incubation programme held in collaboration with Abomax, a firm that provides services in agribusiness and others.
While declaring the training open, on behalf of the the Enugu State Governor, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Ubru, said that the state government in conjunction with ATASP-1 and other donor-funded agencies, was retooling and empowering youths with agricultural innovations to drive the process of the GDP projection of the government.
According to the commissioner, there are endless opportunities in modern agriculture for youths who have the energy and drive; and all the value chains are open, which includes digital agricultural marketing, if one does not want to go to the farm.
In a message, the National Programme Coordinator ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, informed participants that the Federal Government launched ATASP-1 to attract private sector investment in agriculture and ensure food and nutritional sufficiency.
Dr. Arabi, represented by ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr. Kunle Alege, said: “The ATASP-1 is also transforming agricultural landscape through reduction in post-harvest losses, value addition to local agricultural produce, development of rural infrastructure and enhance access of farmers and other value chain actors to financial services and markets.”
He explained that “the objective is to Enhance Food and Nutrition Security, Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation, Wealth Creation, Rural Access and Accessibility and facilitation of financial services and markets for the benefiting communities of the programme.”
Earlier, the Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr. Romanus Egba, lauded the support and smooth working relationship of the Enugu State Government.
He noted that the incubators that performed exceptionally during the training and with a practical business plan/proposal would get seed funds as a start-up grant and “ATASP is also linking the incubatees with lawmakers, offices and organizations willing to support youth agribusinesses.”
One of the incubatees, Miss Amarachi Ezemaduekwe, thanked ATASP-1 for providing them with the opportunity for such intensive training and promised to apply the knowledge gained in her agribusiness.
“I am grateful to all, especially ATASP-1 that made the training possible,” she said.
Another incubatees and class governor, Mr. Kingsley Chukwuebuka Orie, said the training had made a huge impact in his life as he would be going back to be more committed to Agribusiness as he had been fired up to also become employer of labour.
Among the dignitaries that attended the event were the Permanent Secretary, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mr. Victor Ngwu; the State Director Enugu State Agriculture Development Programme, ENADEP, Prof. Samuel Onyishi; and the Project Manager, Abomax Youth in Agribusiness, Mrs Heather-Ronke Akanni.
Others were Chief Emmanuel Ude, Zonal Outreach Specialist, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone; and Chinelo Obiefune, Zonal Agribusiness Specialist, ATASP-1.
The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme Phase One (ATASP-1) is a Programme of Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by African Development Bank (AfDB).
The Programme is being implemented in four Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZS) and in seven States.
They are Adani-Omor SCPZ (Anambra and Enugu States), Bida-Badeggi SCPZ (Niger State), Kano-Jigawa SCPZ (Kano-Jigawa States) and Kebbi-Sokoto SCPZ (Kebbi and Sokoto States) covering 225 communities in 33 Local Government.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
