Agriculture

Lagos pledges support for youths in agriculture

The Lagos State Government says it will continue to support youths engagements in different agricultural value chains to enable them grow into a more productive agricultural labour force.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Abisola Olusanya, stated this on Thursday at the Agriculture Quiz Competition for students of public Senior Secondary Schools in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was part of activities lined up to celebrate the 2021 World Food Day slated for October 16 in the state.

Olusanya was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Hakeem Adeniji.

Olusanya noted the problem of unemployment and vacuums being created by the ageing farmers as well effects of global food crisis would be solved when government supported youths in Agriculture.

The commissioner stressed that the vision of the Ministry was to enhance sustainable food security through youth and women empowerment, with significant private sector involvement.

According to her, this vision explained the focus of the Lagos State Development Plan in Agriculture, which is to move the present local food production and food demand from 18 per cent to 40 per cent of by 2025.

“This is in order to match the continuous increase in the state’s population.

“The ministry has been providing different platforms for youth engagement through training and capacity building under various projects and programmes in different agricultural value chains.

“Thus, contributing to job creation, youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.

“Some of such programmes includes the Summer School Programme, the Schools’ Agricultural Programme (SAP), and the Women and Youths Programme under the Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project.

“Others are the Lagos Agripreneurship Programme (LAP), the Cage and Pen Culture Programme and Eko Schools’ Agricultural Comic.

“Also, the Young Africa Works (YAW), a Nigeria Programme in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)/ Africa Projects Development Centre (APDC)/Mastercard Foundation among others,” Olusanya said.(NAN)

Monday Ashibogwu

Monday Michaels Ashibogwu is Editor-In-Chief of QUICK NEWS AFRICA, one of Nigeria's leading online news service.

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