….1000 youths to be trained, equipped and empowered annually.

Ekiti State has been selected as one of the inaugural beneficiaries of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF)’s Agricultural Skills(AgSkills) programme.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade who made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti explained that the AgSkills Programme is an Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) designed to empower economically marginalized groups and is expected to train 1000 youths in Ekiti annually, and equip them with relevant skills to establish sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the State’s economic transformation.

Boluwade said the nomination was a testament to Governor Biodun Oyebanji led administration’s deliberate investment and initiatives in agriculture, designed to compliment President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiatives in food production.

The Commissioner affirmed that the programmme is aimed at addressing unemployment, enhancing food security, fostering local economy growth through strategic investment in skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development of youths through the Agricultural sector.

According to him, the AgSkills programme will encourage Youth Empowerment through acquisition of critical skills for employment and entrepreneurship, accelerated job creation through rapid establishment of employment opportunities, economic impact – strengthening the agricultural workforce and stimulating economic activity by empowering skilled entrepreneurs, as well as State leadership – positioning Ekiti State as a model of inclusive agricultural development and poverty alleviation.

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Boluwade stressed that the benefitting youths, after graduation will be provided with starter packs by the NADF in collaboration with Ekiti State Government to enable them launch agribusiness ventures.