Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, April 27, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra – No fewer than 3,700 persons are participating in the nationwide training on sustainable agricultural development scheme organized by the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, under the Rural Employment Promotion Department.
The Acting Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo Disclosed this during the orientation ceremony of the beneficiaries in Awka, Anambra state capital, saying that 100 participants were drawn from each of the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Fikpo, who was represented by Mr. Pascal Edene noted that the programme was designed for graduates of higher institutions, school leavers and retirees, using experiential learning methods of on-farm demonstrations with tutorials on industry best practices.
According to him, the success of the Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme, SADTS, implementation, led to the management approval for the scheme to be replicated in the 36 states including FCT.
“The seven areas to acquire skills are on crop production, livestock management, Micro-livestock management. Food-processing, preservation and storage, Agro-services and farm mechanization. The scheme involves 2 weeks of theoretical training and 3 months of experiential adaptive practical training.”
In her earlier remarks, the State Co-ordinator, NDE, Mrs. Chika Ufelle said that the participants would also be trained on enterprise management, business plan preparation, value enhancing life and skills and success attitudes.
“ They are encouraged to form co-operatives in order to benefit from resettlement packages. It is our strong belief that after this training, all the participants would have acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge that would enable them succeed in their various chosen agro-ventures, become employers of labour, thereby help in growing the economy.” Ufelle stated.
The State Co-ordinator further thanked the Acting DG of NDE for graciously approving the implementation of the programme at the most auspicious time, adding that the roles of the stakeholders in eradicating poverty through laudable programmes are most appreciated.
One of the participants, 23 years old Emmanuel Igbena equally thanked the organizers and stakeholders for making the event impactful, stating that, “ based on the contemporary views on how the programme was organized and displayed, I am marveled for the knowledge I have acquired so far.”
