The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development in partnership with the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta have begun training for 2,000 youths in agriculture, in Ondo State.

It was gathered that the training, which was under the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta project, was taking place in 10 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the orientation programme for the incubatees (trainees) in Idanre on Thursday, the state Project Coordinator, Olawale Ademola, revealed that the programme had trained and empowered over 2,500 incubatees in the state.

He also mentioned that the project was meant mainly for youths and women, particularly from the age of 18 to 35.

He explained, “The beneficiaries of the training, also known as the incubatees will be trained in the production of four commodities, which are cassava, cocoa, poultry and fishery within one to three months after which they will be empowered to start up their agric businesses.”

Also, the National Technical Assistant to LIFE-ND Project National Coordinator, Mr Bunmi Ogunleye, said the project was in existence in six states of the Niger-Delta region, which are Bayelsa, Abia, Cross-River, Delta, Edo and Ondo.

Over 14,250 beneficiaries from the six states have benefited from the project since its inception of the project and 12,000 incubatees are currently being trained.

He further explained that after the training, the incubatees would be empowered with cash components and farm produces in regard to the commodity they are trained on and they monitored to ensure they used the cash for its intended purpose.

In his remarks, the Governor of state, Mr Lucky Aiyedaiwa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ogunmola Edward, emphasised the importance of LIFE-ND project as a means of improving the livelihood of the citizens.

He said, “It is noteworthy that this occasion is another feat in the developmental programme of the Federal Government in investing in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty and improve their standard of living.

 “It is in response to the limited readily available options for the disadvantaged, most especially the youths and women in the rural and sub-urban communities, to improve their means of livelihood and help them live a decent life.”

He assured the beneficiaries of government’s support, saying, “the government will not rest on its oars until food scarcity is fully eradicated in the state, thereby, leading to poverty eradication from our land”.

Source: Punch