National Young Farmers Scheme: NALDA kicks off program, disfavours online application

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) which in June announced the intention of the Federal Government to engage 77,400 youths(100 youths per local Government) in it's first phase of Young Farmers Scheme, has commenced the scheme.

Announcing the online application in June through nalda.ng, the Buhari Young Farmers would extend to 1,000 youths per LGA to ensure intensified youth participation in agriculture, engaging 774,000 youths in the Program, not only to encourage Local production of food and ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria, but also to cushion the effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Agricultural Sector.

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo delivering the National Economic Sustainability Plan in June noted that the Economic Sustainability Plan also proposes to engage more Nigerians through farming, which he said could generate direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians noting that "our Economic Sustainability proposal (in the Agricultural Sector) is that we are trying to bring in 20,000 and 100,000 hectares of land per State for agricultural use, and we are looking at how to work with the states to deliver that, which means we are going to bring in far more farmers into the net and this would mean more jobs for people in the rural areas,"

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in September also announced that President Mohammadu Buhari would on the 10th of November, 2020 flag off the National Young Farmers Scheme #backtofarm, through a tweet in their official handle.

Contrary to the online application in June, NALDA has however recently in a tweet announced the commencement of the first phase of the Program in some States noting that the Program and its participation is community based and interested participants should visit NALDA Office in their respective States.

"NALDA is currently in its pilot stage with the coverage of 18 states in the six Geo-political zones at the moment. This pilot stage is being carefully carried out in phases."

"Please note that this programme is community based and interested participants must contact NALDA office in their state. Kindly visit our website (http://nalda.ng) for more information. Thank you. #backtofarm"

Please note that this programme is community based and interested participants must contact NALDA office in their state.
Kindly visit our website (https://t.co/9r0ul4DG2e) for more information. Thank you. #backtofarm
— NALDA (@NALDA_NG) December 3, 2020

Young Nigerians who are interested in the National Young Farmers Scheme are hereby encouraged to visit http://nalda.ng to know the address of NALDA Offices across the Federation and declare their interest in the Program.