Federal Government to engage 77,400 youths as Young Farmers -Apply now

In a bid to reduce the effect of COVID-19 in the Agricultural sectors, encourage Local production of food and ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria, the Federal Government has concluded plans to engage 77,400 youths across the 774 Local Governments of the Federation as Young Farmers in the next six months.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, at a maiden media press briefing, where he noted that the organisation was established in 1992 but has not attracted recognition since 2000.

Prince Ikonne remarked that President Muhammadu Buhari, having Agriculture as one of his core priorities, has given a marching order, “we must produce what we have to eat” and  NALDA, being an authority under the presidency, has come up with programmes to meet this directive by the president.

Ikonne furthered that the Young Farmers Network program would engage 100 youths in each Local Government in the 36 States plus FCT in the Pilot phase while the State Governors would make provisions for Lands in each of the Local Governments.

These young farmers will be drawn from the 774 local government areas, with a pilot number of 100 per local government area. In this initiative, we will partner state governors for the provision or donation of land and other stakeholders, as this will create employment and food production will be increased.

Prince Ikonne emphasized that NALDA has an obligation in its short-term program to make provision for farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers, machinery, environmentally friendly crop protection agents, growth enhancers and trainings which would be given to already existing farmers, saying this would assist them during this farming season in order to improve their yield.

He further disclosed that NALDA would also use the ‘Back to Farm’ programme to encourage everyone to go back to farm by reaching out to the military and paramilitary organisations, National Assembly members, civil and public servants, journalists, corporate bodies, religious organisations and individuals.

Ikonne concluded the briefing stressing that the three programmes initiated by NALDA are their starting points in ensuring that they meet the immediate mandate of the president for providing food for all as they intend to achieve this within the next six months.

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