From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme, Phase-1 (ATASP-1) has trained over 50 youths from Enugu and Anambra states on agribusiness.
The youths who were selected from eight participating local government areas under ATASP-1, Adani-Omor zone coverage area, are participating in the 10-day incubation programme.
While declaring the training open, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State, Dr Patrick Ubru, said that the state government in conjunction with ATASP-1 and other donor-funded agencies, is retooling and empowering youths with agricultural innovations to drive the process of the GDP projection of the government.
According to him, there are endless opportunities in modern agriculture for youths who have the energy and drive; and all the value chains are open, which includes digital agricultural marketing if one does not want to go to the farm.
The National Programme Coordinator ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, informed participants that the Federal Government launched ATASP-1 to attract private sector investment in agriculture and ensure food and nutritional sufficiency.
Arabi, represented by ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr Kunle Alege, said: “The ATASP-1 is also transforming agricultural landscape through reduction in post-harvest losses, value addition to local agricultural produce, development of rural infrastructure and enhance access of farmers and other value chain actors to financial services and markets.
“The objective is to Enhance Food and Nutrition Security, Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation, Wealth Creation, Rural Access and Accessibility and facilitation of financial services and markets for the benefiting communities of the programme.”
Earlier, the Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone, Dr Romanus Egba, lauded the support and smooth working relationship of the Enugu State Government.
He noted that the incubators that performed exceptionally well during the training and with a practical business plan/proposal would get seed funds as a start-up grant and “ATASP is also linking the incubatees with lawmakers, offices and organizations willing to support youth agribusinesses.”