NDE launches 2021 sustainable agric development training in Imo

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched its 2021 sustainable agricultural development training scheme in Imo State on Tuesday.

The Acting Director-General of the Directorate, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, who performed the launch in Owerri, was represented by the NDE coordinator in Imo, Mrs Ngozi Iheanacho, thanking the federal government for its youth-friendly initiatives.

He also thanked the NDE in Imo for a transparent selection of 100 beneficiaries of the scheme, while pledging to work together with the state government to achieve the desired results.

“Today’s programme marks a significant milestone in the history of Rural Employment Promotion (REP) schemes designed to reflect emerging trends to grow rural employment through agribusiness engagements.

“This programme is in line with Federal Government’s policy on agriculture for employment, wealth creation and food sufficiency, and we will work together with the state government for best results,” Fikpo said.

However, he admonished the participants to take the three-month-long training seriously and avail themselves of other opportunities offered by their participation in NDE activities.

Also speaking, the Director of the REP scheme department, Mr Michael Mbata, said that the first two weeks of the programme would focus on theoretical training, while the remaining period will be for activities at the adaptive farm.

Mbata, who was also represented by a deputy director in the department, Chukwuma Jinanwa, assured that the NDE would not relent in its constitutional mandate of imparting skills that could translate into self-employment.

He added that the training curriculum was structured to include major areas of modern agricultural production, crop farming, livestock production, apiculture, marketing and agri-preneurial training.

He urged young school leavers and graduates of tertiary institutions, with a passion for agriculture as an enterprise, to embrace the programme to learn vital skills.

“100 persons have been selected from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, just as in Imo, giving a total 3,700 persons.

“Resource persons will be paid for the two weeks theoretical training and all trainees will receive a transport allowance of N6,000 each.

“Please, take advantage of the opportunities presented by the NDE, in various areas of agriculture, to better your life,” he said.

One of the participants, Mrs Benita Okoro, from Nwangele Local Government Area, thanked the federal government for the scheme and pledged to put all acquired skills to best use. (NAN)