As part of effort to boost the production of eggs in Nigeria, as well as empower farmers in the country, the Federal Government has presented cheques worth N564 million to 135 poultry farmers in Ondo state.
Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, at the official flag-off of the programme held at Aaye, Ijare community of Akure South local government area of the state at the weekend, said that the distribution of cheques was targeted at increase of eggs production in the country and was done in partnership with the National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO).
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ending unemployment in the nation through vibrant agricultural practice and diversification of the nation’s economy, explaining that the present illegal migration of Nigerians, youth restiveness and other vices were as a result of neglect of Agriculture.
“We have neglected agriculture for too long because of oil and gas. Now, our youths are jobless because we have imbibed in them the culture of doing nothing,” Ogbeh said.
The minister of agriculture, while commending the state interventions in the country’s agriculture, advised the people of the State especially youths to embrace the programme as this would enable them to be gainfully employed.
In his address, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, described the Federal Government’s strides on agricultural rejuvenation in the country as a welcomed development, stating that his administration was fully prepared to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture in every possible way to ensure adequate implementation of the programme.
Akeredolu highlighted major Agro-based projects of the State, which he said, includes proposed N42 billion egg powder factory, in Emure, billed to kick off on 22nd of February, 2018.
The almost completed Chocolate Factory which the current administration inherited from the immediate past government; and the Youth on the Ridges Project, which he said, was aimed at engaging 18,000 youths across the State would soon commence operation.
He however, charged the people to take agriculture scheme seriously as the only solution to unemployment problems.
YOMI AYELESO, Akure
