NDE trains 1,850 youths in agricultural technology

NDE trains 1,850 youths in agricultural technology

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has commenced the training of 1850 youths across the country under its 2024 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS).

Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, Director General NDE, disclosed this at the inaugural ceremony of 50 beneficiaries from Adamawa for the 2024 SADTS on Thursday, in Yola.

Represented by Mrs Pwa-Amgulma Josia, Head of Human Resources NDE, Adamawa, Nuhu-Fikpo said the programme was geared towards creating employment opportunities for Nigerians in the agricultural sector.

He said the scheme under the Rural Empowerment Promotion (REP) Department aimed at promoting modern agriculture as a business for citizens was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

“We are here to flag off the training of 1850 participants under the 2024 SADTS, the prospective participants are drawn from the local government and senatorial districts of the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

“The aim of the training is to create employment for the rural communities through training on modern innovative agricultural technology.

“Others are, to expose unemployed youths to the potential in exotic vegetable crops and livestock production farming business, improve the livelihood of the rural people and reduce rural-urban migration.

Nuhu-Fikpo encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and acquire the needed skills that would enable them to set up their agribusiness and succeed as agripreneurs.

Ms Beatrice Oruoyehu, Deputy Director Rural Empowerment Promotion (REP) Dept, said the scheme was in line with the presidential priority to reform the economy and boost agriculture in achieving food security.

Represented by Mallam Farouk Farouk, REP Department NDE, Oruoyehu stated that the three-month agricultural business training duration would be in two phases, which include two weeks of experiment training (theory) in crop and livestock production along its value chain and ten weeks of practical field adaptive training at NDE Agricultural Training Center(ASTC) or states with alternative centres.

Oruoyehu urged trainees to be diligent saying only participants who successfully complete the training would be considered for facilities to establish their choice of agribusinesses.

Zinant Ahmed, an ex-beneficiary of the 2022 SADTS and an agriprenuer in livestock production, said the training she acquired helped her grow her business and has created jobs for people in her community.

Gadafi Adamu a prospective trainee for 2024 SADTS, appreciated NDE for the opportunity, saying the skills would boost his knowledge and enable him to succeed as a farmer and a job creator.

(NAN)