….As Leventis Foundation graduates 147 young farmers
Amidst growing threats to Nigeria’s food security initiatives, agriculture experts have called on the Federal Government to strengthen security measures to protect farmers across the country
Nigeria’s over 200 million population is said to be exposed to food insecurity, according to October Cadre Harmonise, a government-led and UN supported food and nutrition analysis that is carried out twice a year.
The analysis also estimated that over 25 million Nigerians are likely to face extreme hunger conditions amidst growing poverty and rising food inflation, mostly resulting from incessant kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes and other violent conflicts that have remained unabated.
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Agriculture experts, speaking at the graduation ceremony organised for young graduate farmers trained by the Leventis Foundation, a non-government organisation, called on the Federal Government to urgently tackle insecurity, to prevent further decline in the sector.
The food security situation over the years had been impacted especially by violent conflicts, including the insurgency in the North East; armed banditry in the Northwest; perennial farmer – herder conflicts in the North Central, South West, and increasingly across the country; even as separatist agitators hold sway in the South East among others.
This is as natural disasters, in particular, the rinsing incidence and frequency of floods, occasioned by climate change impact, continue to also affect food production and the availability and affordability of food in Nigeria.
Hope Usieta, executive director, Leventis Foundation, speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Foundation Agricultural training school, Yaba, Abaji, Abuja, at the weekend, also charged the government to assist farmers with subsidised farm inputs and start up capital, especially for young graduates in the sector to strengthen job opportunities
Usieta disclosed that the Foundation has over the years, dedicated programmes for training farmers with the aimed of boosting economic diversification, creating job opportunities in agric business and promoting the production of high quality inputs, in conjunction with the states and local governments.
He assured that the graduating students had been well equipped to contribute to the nation’s food security initiatives, having been thoroughly groomed in all aspects of agricbusiness.
He therefore, urged the graduates to key into the school’s alumni programme, which guarantees proper mentorship, supports and grants that will help them to excel in their chosen field.
Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (FCTARDS), who was the Chairman of the occasion, in his speech, noted that agriculture requires vibrant young people’s participation, even as he commended the Leventis Foundation for its invaluable contribution to the country.
He noted that through the project, Nigeria can boast of adequate man power for the agriculture sector.
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He therefore, charged the graduates to avoid practices that will make it impossible for them to actualise their ambitions.
He directed the FCT Cares to provide start off packages, including she goats and sheep, 200 fingerlings, amongst other supports facilities to the graduates to enable them have easy start in their chosen fields of agricultural endeavours.
Guest Speaker, Stephen Orji, of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, in his lecture, announced support for the best graduating student in Agriculture and Rural Development, with N50,000 (Fifty Thousand ) Naira only.
He also urged the graduates to focus on deliberate marketing policies for their businesses to survive and thrive.
“Locate your target market, this will reduce your market costs and segments your marketing by identifying those who need your produce.
“Marketing encompasses the pricing, the packaging, getting to know your competitors, identifying your customers and goals setting.
“Adopt a SMART policy to gain specific
goals that are measurable and achievable.
“Focus on the seven Ps of marketing Products, the People, Pricing, Place or locations, Promotion, Packaging and Process of production.
“What do you want to achieve in your marketing is also very important as you design your plans to start your business.”
He also advised the graduates to have a fair knowledge of the product before embarking on the business.
Some of the local farmers who spoke of the security situation around Abaji Area Council, revealed that many farmers had experienced attacks by herders while in their farms.
One of the farmers, Oseni Alkali, narrated how herders led their animals to destroy his beans farm, without compensation.
The Ona of Abaji, and host of traditional rulers within the Abaji area Council also attended the event
The school graduates a total of 147 farmers for the 2022 and 2023 academic sessions
BDSunday gathered that the students enjoyed free training sponsored by the Foundation at the Agricultural training school, at Yaba, Abaji.
Between 1988 and now, the school has trained about 28,000 students, with about 80% settling into agriculture as a means of survival.
953 young men and women have been trained since inception in 1988 at the Abaji institute, according to the school authorities.
They were groomed to be efficient in farm management, including farming risks management.
The foundation also support the graduates with linkages to resource facilities, grants and short term trainings for post graduation activities.
Orima Linus got the prize for overall best performance, making him the best graduating student for the 2022 academic year, with N100,000 cash award.
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Bassy Mark got the overall best students prize, for the year, 2023, with N100,000 ( One Hundred Thousand) only
The Foundation also showered it workers with long service award to Abdulmurtalab Haruna and Micah Malachi who had put in over 15 years in the service of the Leventis Foundation, Abuja.
President of the 2023 set, John Akachukwu, commended the Leventis Foundation for its commitment to developing relevant manpower in the agriculture sector.
The Foundation, he said, has helped young Nigerians to focus on agriculture.
He therefore, urged his graduating colleagues to diligently apply the knowledge they have gathered in strengthening agriculture and food security in Nigeria.
