Ekiti State Government in conjunction with YSJ Farms Limited has trained close to one thousand youths in Ado-Ekiti under the ‘Bring Back the Youths in Agriculture scheme’
The training which held between Monday and Wednesday covered series of lectures on how to plant cassava, maize and other crops in a modern mechanized way in order to experience maximum profits.
The youths were also tutored on business aspect of agriculture to avail them the opportunity to get acquainted with the full cycle of the agric value chain.
Speaking at the event, the YSJ Head of facilitators, Adebisi Oluwaseyi noted that adequate arrangements have been made in terms of input, agrochemicals, guidance and other packages for as many youths that were ready to key into the programme.
She noted that the programmme covered four towns in the last farming season, being the first of its kind, saying youths in several other towns in Ekiti will partake in this year’s farming season as the Ado-Ekiti training is being replicated in the other towns.
Oluwaseyi affirmed that adequate security and other protection measures have been put in place for the youths in the different farm settlements.
She charged the youths to be focused and resilient in order to fully maximize the uncommon opportunity brought to their door steps by the Biodun Oyebanji led administration and the YSJ Farms Limited.
Another facilitator, Mrs Mary Olagoke reteirated the several benefits inherent in the exercise, citing the huge benefits youths who participated in the first batch of the programme got despite the inclement weather last year.
She explained that all the necessary items required by the young farmers would be provided by the duo of the State Government and YSJ, tressing that they would only need to be committed and dedicated in managing their farms.
Two of the participants, Aniyi Johnson and Adedeke Titilayo expressed appreciation to the State Government and YSJ Limited, promising to make judicious use of the opportunity to get empowered and also contribute to food security in the State.
It would be recalled that over 200 million naira was raked in as remuneration for Youths who participated in the first batch of the ‘Bring back the Youths in Agriculture’ last year.
The State Government had last week laid the foundation of dormitories at Eporo in Emure Local Government to house the young farmers while on the farm.
The dormitories which will be fully furnished with modern accessories and basic amenities will be replicated in about five other farm settlements across the State to encourage the youths to be fully residential in the farms.