The Kwara State government have concluded plans to employ no fewer than 20,000 youths in the agricultural sector.
The move is in a bid to reduce the unemployment rate and boost the economy of the state
This was made known in Lagos on Saturday by the Kwara State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Adegoke Bamidele.
Bamidele noted that the youths to be employed would be selected from the 16 local government areas of the state.
According to him, “There are no criteria for selecting the youth; the empowerment programme is for both graduates and undergraduates.
“The idea is to engage the youth in agricultural business as it is the only alternative source of revenue generating to oil sector.
“If 20,000 youths are empowered in agricultural business, it will boost the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the state and also enhance its economic development.”
Areas where the youths will be trained include crop farming, poultry, piggery, animal husbandry, and fishery among several others.
The commissioner said the the idea is to make the youth self reliant.
“Private organisations are sacking workers day by day, but the only secured job is the skilled job.
“That is one of the reasons why the government is empowering youths to embrace agriculture and to encourage them to contribute their quota to the development of the nation, Bamidele said.
While identifying the opportunities latent in agriculture and capable of bringing Nigeria out of recession, the commissioner called on the Federal Government to support the 36 state governments with the required fund to enable states to grant zero per cent interest loans to youths in agriculture.
