Abia Introduces E4E Programme, To Benefit Agric Stakeholders
AGRICULTURE practitioners in Abia state, at a meeting held in Umuahia North LGA have approved the Education for Employment programme (E4E) recently created by the governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
The E4E, which is designed to train youths in practical skills in schools to enable them engage in self or paid employment, is coordinated by Mr. Endi Ezengwa , the Chief Executive Officer of Kiara College in the United Kingdom, who has relocated to Nigeria.
The agriculturists, who gave their nod to the programme at the Agriculture Stakeholders engagement meeting with the state Ministry of Agriculture and Kiara College, said that for the E4E to achieve its target, it must include agriculture, which they pointed out, is the largest industry that has the potentials to engage youths and adults in every community.
At the Aguiyi Ironsi International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Geecee
Kanu, who was represented by the state Director Of Liberation Farms, Mr. Bartho Onyemaobi said it is aimed at educating the participants to enable them key into the E4E.
One of the participants, Pastor Jude Amalaha of Guzek Farms, Umuokoro, Isiala Ngwa South LGA called for establishment of School to Land, where youths will be engaged after their training.
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1 Comments
Nigeria government have not yet understood the actual real problem. all these schemes to train and build capacity is good, however it would be a complete waste, if those skill or capacity is never used. you can train all the youth in the state in agriculture business. The problem is that youth don’t owe or have access to land to practice what they learnt. They don’t have access to cheap capital to purchase land, farm inputs, seeds and all the necessary things need. So all this programs and scheme are just a waste of time, until we deal with the access to capital and land for the youth. This can be solved by the states. state land and even some private lands, could be leased to the youth to farm specific crop of which they get training from the state. The state provides the necessary input, gives them support, training, supervision and give them 2 years grace period on their lease payment. after two years, the state start to collect lease payment, taxes while helping the farmers sell and market their products.
We will review and take appropriate action.