The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP-AF), has launched a three-week training programme for 20 youth farmers in Kogi State.
The training, organized by the Kogi State VCDP in partnership with the Nigeria-Korean Institute of Vocational and Advanced Technology (NKFI), Lokoja, commenced on Wednesday.
Launching the programme, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, congratulated the participants on their selection and urged them to make the most of the opportunity.
He said the initiative was designed to equip youths with practical skills in the fabrication and maintenance of agricultural equipment, with emphasis on the cassava and rice value chains.
Ojomah noted that the beneficiaries were drawn from different communities and local government areas across the state, stressing that they represented their communities and the state at large.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.
The commissioner added that the training aligned with the agenda of Gov. Ahmed Ododo to empower youths, promote agricultural mechanization and enhance food security in Kogi State.
He commended the leadership of the IFAD-VCDP in the state for implementing impactful interventions that have improved farmers’ livelihoods and boosted agricultural productivity.
Ojomah assured the participants of the Ododo administration’s continued support in enhancing their livelihoods.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator of VCDP, Dr Stella Adejoh, said the programme was aimed at empowering youths with employable skills while strengthening food security in the state.
She explained that the training focused on the fabrication of simple farm tools for the cassava and rice value chains.
According to Adejoh, the programme represents the second phase of the fabrication training, with 20 participants selected from five local government areas: Ajaokuta, Kabba-Bunu, Ibaji, Lokoja and Olamaboro.
“We expect the participants to cascade the skills acquired to their communities and farmer clusters, thereby making farm operations easier and more efficient,” she said.
The project coordinator added that beneficiaries would receive starter packs at the end of the training to support outreach and service delivery.
She praised Gov. Ododo for his support and prompt payment of counterpart funding, which she said had enabled the programme to record measurable impact among benefiting farmers.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Kogi State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Dr Bello Ogirima, stressed the importance of mechanisation in agriculture and commended the governor for prioritising farmer support.
The Rector of NKFI, Dr Oluwatoyin Williams, described the NKFI–Kogi VCDP partnership as beneficial to the state.
Represented by the Director of Academic Planning, Mr Omada Eneojo, Williams assured participants of quality training in welding, fabrication of farm equipment and other relevant skills.
Some of the participants, including Sefiat Yusuf from Ajaokuta and Lewis Oguche from Ibaji, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and IFAD-VCDP, pledging to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training.
