The Delta State Government has launched an agribusiness empowerment programme aimed at equipping 1,000 youths with the skills, knowledge and practical tools needed to establish and manage profitable agricultural enterprises.
The initiative, according to the state government, is part of efforts to reduce dependence on oil, create employment opportunities and reposition agriculture as a major driver of economic growth.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Val Arenyeka, disclosed this while declaring open a three-day Wealth Creation Training Programme through Agriculture for youths in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, on Monday.
Arenyeka described agriculture as a major avenue for wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable economic development, urging young people across the state to take advantage of the opportunities available in the sector.
He said the government’s focus was to move youths beyond subsistence farming and encourage them to view agriculture as a viable business capable of generating income, creating jobs and attracting investment.
According to him, the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to strengthening the state’s economy through strategic investment in agriculture and youth empowerment.
The commissioner urged participants to approach the training with seriousness and a business-oriented mindset, stressing that the knowledge acquired should be translated into sustainable agricultural ventures.
He also encouraged the youths to exploit the comparative advantages of their communities, noting that Delta’s natural resources and favourable conditions provide opportunities for cultivating various crops without excessive reliance on artificial inputs.
Arenyeka disclosed that about 1,000 youths would eventually benefit from the empowerment initiative, adding that the ongoing training represented the first phase of the programme.
He said the scheme would subsequently be expanded to accommodate more beneficiaries and cover additional agricultural value chains.
The commissioner expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to job creation, boost local food production and stimulate economic activities across the state.
Some participants at the training welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to acquire practical agricultural knowledge and improve their existing farming businesses.
The state government said the programme would ultimately support the emergence of a new generation of young agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of contributing to Delta’s economic diversification.
