The Oyo State Government and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) have launched a €2.4 million Youth Empowerment and Reintegration Project (YERP) targeting 700 young people through agriculture.
The initiative, funded by the Government of Denmark, is aimed particularly at youths aged 18 to 35, rural communities and returnee migrants in the South-West. It is designed to tackle youth unemployment, support the reintegration of returnees and reduce the attraction of irregular migration by creating sustainable livelihoods.
Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the project would promote climate-smart and sustainable agriculture while providing beneficiaries with training, cooperative development, market linkages and livelihood support.
He said the state had secured 1,766 hectares of farmland in Ilero, Kajola Local Government Area, and another 50 hectares at the Rural Community Development Centre in Aawe, Afijio Local Government Area, for the project.
According to him, the government will facilitate access to land, security, agricultural training, mechanisation, modern farming techniques and markets while working with host communities, private-sector players and development partners.
Olaleye said YERP would go beyond providing farmland by developing sustainable livelihoods and generating lessons that could support future policies on youth empowerment and migration management.
ICMPD Portfolio Manager for the Pan-Africa Region, Marcello Giordani, said the project could provide young people with opportunities to build livelihoods through modern agriculture and new technologies.
The project is expected to strengthen youth participation across the agricultural value chain, including production, processing, logistics, mechanisation, marketing and digital agriculture.
