By Ann Azuka
Delta State Government on Wednesday trained 145 youths in youth agricultural entrepreneurs (YAGEPreneurs) programme in the state.
The Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer of the state, Prof. Eric Eboh this at the Orientation and Farm Enterprise Training (OFET) Workshop for 2022 Crop Production YAGEP beneficiaries.
He said, “For 2022 circle of the programme, today 145 persons in first batch of training in agricultural production.
Prof. Eboh explained that Orientation and Farm Enterprise Training (OFET) is an onboarding activity designed to enroll the 1st batch of new YAGEP beneficiaries and familiarize them with the principles and methods of YAGEP.
He said OFET includes training and reorientation of youth agricultural entrepreneurs on key management topics and issues, such as the best practices in agricultural production, farm enterprise management and agricultural marketing(crop and livestock).
Others are Farm records and financial accounts, Managing risks and uncertainties in agricultural production and Agricultural insurance by Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation.
Eboh averred that OFET was aimed at making existing youth agricultural entrepreneurs to become better managers of resources and more successful and sustainable in their agricultural businesses.
“YAGEP was inaugurated on the 26th of August 2015, with the aim at creating jobs and wealth by training, establishing and supporting youths to become agricultural entrepreneurs gainfully self-employed and employers of labour.
“The Green YAGEP refers to youths who receive first-time training in a chosen agricultural skill followed with provision of facilities, materials and financial support to start-up and run an agricultural enterprise.
“Agricultural skills training under Green YAGEP involves full-cycle methods and activities encompassing instruction, practicals and internship.
“On the other hand, brown YAGEP refers to youths who already have agricultural skills and own agricultural enterprises but are given refresher training in practical and managerial skills plus support packages to grow and sustain their existing enterprises”
Prof. Eboh said that YAGEP has contributed 3,084.40 metric tonnes of cassava roots, 2,298.46 metric tonnes of poultry, 72,280,767 eggs and 6,682.91 metric tonnes of fish among others.
