A non-governmental organization, Youth Arise To Create Harmony Initiative International, YATCH-IN, has called for a massive youth involvement in agri-business and agric-value chain in order for them to be self-reliant.
The group made this known on Wednesday at a one-day workshop aimed at empowering the Youth farmers in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT on various sub-branches that are commercially viable.
According to the keynote speaker, Shu’aibu Adamu, youths have no excuse running away from agriculture because it was no longer about cutlass and hoes.
“Agriculture has moved beyond food production, it has over fifty sub-branches that are commercially viable.
“It ranges from snake farming, zobo farming, mushroom farming, feed production, selling highly nutritious seeds, horticulture,” he said.
Mr Adamu, while lamenting on the negligence to agriculture by the youths, observed that no country could be sovereign without agriculture.
“If we embrace agriculture alone, it would be sufficient for us. We don’t even need petrol,” he reiterated.
Earlier, The President of YATCH-IN, Khairat Ajiboye, said the organization was determined make the farmers realize how they could make more money than they are currently earning from agricultural business.
“We want things to work out. We have an opportunity to visit the farmers and witness the challenges they face. Today we came here to let you understand that we are interested in agricultural value chain from the beginning to the end,” Mrs Ajiboye said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kwali, Sha’aban Nizazo, expressed optimism about YATCH-IN’s mission of empowering youths through agriculture.
Mr Nizazo said the programme would go a long way in harmonizing the social relationships in our communities by improving the socio-economy of his people.
DAILY NIGERIAN can report that YATCH-IN, in collaboration with The African Center For Food, Agriculture and Sustainable Development, Positive Dynamix and Peace development Initiative hosted the one day workshop to empower youths in agric-business and agric-value chain.
