By Muftau Ogunyemi
International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD/ Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) says it is set to empower no fewer than 920 youths and women on agricultural production in 10 local government areas of Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IFAD/LIFE-ND is a project that directly supports the Nigeria’s agricultural policy and the strategic framework for youth empowerment and job creation.
The project covers 10 local government area (LGAs) such as Owo; Akoko South West; Akoko North West; Akure North; Idanre;Ondo East; Irele; Ilaje; Ese-Odo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo, with 10 communities per LGA in the state
Prince Olawale Ademola, Ondo State Project Coordinator, made the disclosure at the media roundtable meeting held on Friday in Akure.
Ademola, who was represented by Mrs Bola Ajibade, State Rural Institution Gender and Unit Officer, explained that the new beneficiaries had already enrolled at the different IFAD centre in the state.
Ademola said that the project had also engaged additional 50 incubators (trainers) apart from the 28 that were engaged before the present incubatees(trainees).
The state project coordinator said that the beneficiaries were youths and women drawn from rural areas of the 10 LGAs.
According to him, the 920 beneficiaries and farmers have duly completed their legal agreement between them and the project “and we have empowered 260 youths and women on agricultural production such as livestock, aquaculture and crops productions”.
“Presently, 920 beneficiaries have enrolled with the project and they have been trained. Very soon they will move out from the IFAD centre to be empowered by the project.
“So, if you add the previous 260 beneficiaries with the new beneficiaries of 920, it shows that a total of 1,180 youths and women have benefited from the IFAD/ LIFE-ND Project in Ondo state this year.
“This is the major achievement that we have recorded as far as employment of beneficiaries in Ondo State i2022.
“So, the IFAD/ LIFE-ND I is not only about youths empowerment but also to improve food security in the society, increase income generation and economy diversification, among others,” he said.
Ademola said that the incubatees empowered had started on their own, and have become flourishing enterprenurs.
He said, however, that the project in the state has not abandoned them and still carries out monitoring visit to their project sites.
He also explained that the project had organised a workshop to improve the capacity of the major stakeholders, saying the idea was to provide the desired service delivery.
Ademola, who appreciated the media for their support and role played in the progress of the IFAD/ LIFE-ND Project in the state, called for more support and sensitisation of members of public about the program.(NAN)
IFAD/LIFE-ND set to empower 920 youths, women on agricultural production in Ondo
