The Fresh Brains Development Initiative/Alexijan Consults in partnership with Open Society Initiative for West Africa and Oxfam Nigeria have completed the training of 46 youths in climate smart agriculture and agribusiness development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony for the programme in Abuja under the Youth Farm Project II, with the theme ‘Building a climate Resilient Generation’, the Chief Executive Officer/Founder, Fresh Brains Development, Nkiruka Nnamaego, said the project aimed to promote youth-led climate smart farms and agribusinesses.
She stated that the Youth Farm Project was also organised to highlight the benefits of farming for sustainable youth development and livelihoods.
Nnamaego said, “On April 2, 2014, we started the Youth Farm Project because we saw the huge potential young people have in agriculture, yet, at that time, many people were complaining about youth unemployment and restiveness.
“So, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, OSIWA, Oxfam Nigeria and other organisations, we launched the Youth Farm Project and set a target for ourselves that between 2014 and 2020, we should be able to establish and promote at least 10,000 youth-led climate smart agribusinesses across Africa.”
She further stated that the non-governmental organisation had trained over 1,500 youths in various fields of agriculture, adding that the Youth Farm Project II had also focused on over 80 rural and vulnerable youths selected from the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and River States.
Nnamaego said the 80 youths would undergo training in climate smart agriculture, agribusiness development and other associated courses.
A representative from OSIWA, Joseph Ameaghwon, urged the beneficiaries of the training to use the knowledge acquired in solving climate change related issues by establishing their own farms.
He said, “We believe it is important to support the project, while also helping our youths in training of this nature so as to understand the dynamics of farming and the challenges of climate change.”
SOURCE: PUNCH
