By Awayi Kuje
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the training of 100 youths on Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS) in Nasarawa State.
Mr Chris Bamsida, the state Coordinator of NDE, disclosed this at the orientation ceremony/inauguration for 100 participants of SADTS on Monday in Lafia.
Bamsida said that sustainable agriculture refers to as an agricultural production and distribution system would help to provide more profitable farmers income.
“”Promote environmental stewardship, and enhance quality of life for farmers families and communities.
““This programme is, therefore, in line with the Federal Government policy on agriculture for employment, wealth creation and food sufficiency. It is also inline with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
“”The target groups of this scheme comprises all unemployed youths from school leavers to graduates of tertiary institutions and people with special needs such as disabled persons and albinos, who have passion for agribusiness as an enterprise,” he said
Bamsida said that the objectives of the scheme was to impact agricultural skills on graduates, school leavers, school dropout and persons with special needs.
“”To impact marketable and functional skills on the participants to reduce their dependency on other people thereby reducing poverty and to improve the living standard of the people,” he said.
He said that the 100 selected participants for the SADTS would be trained in various aspects of modern agricultural production for a period of three months.
“”The first two weeks will be experiential training on life skills lecture, record keeping, vegetable production and its value chain, poultry production and its value chain as well as fish production and its value chain.
““Others are animal health management, small ruminants (Sheep, Goat Fatten) production and its value chain, agricultural marketing, basic business training, writing of a business plan and farm record keeping,” he said.
Bamsida said that the remaining period would be used for production exercise (practical demonstration on vegetable farming and poultry production).
“”The participants will be paid stipend of N5, 000 each per month for the duration of the training so as to support their transport fare,” he said.
The state coordinator urged the participants to participate actively in the training as indiscipline or truancy of any nature will not be entertained.
He said that officers of the directorate from both headquarters and state counterparts would monitor and supervise the training.
Bamsida appreciated Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state for creating enabling environment in the state, for the directorate to actualise its vision.
“”I wish to specially express my gratitude to the
Director-General NDE, Malam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, for considering Nasarawa state for the scheme,” he said.
A member of staff of NDE from the headquarters, Mrs Shade Uche, urged the participants to pay adequate attention to the training.
Uche also appreciated NDE director-general for being up and doing in tackling unemployment in the country through its good policies and programmes.
Responding, Mr Ayuba Engah, a beneficiary, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, appreciated NDE for the training and promised to imbiber and practice vthe skills. (NAN)