The Taraba State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), has graduated youth fabricators in the state.
Mr Irmiya Musa, VCDP State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said on Friday in Jalingo that the training was a critical component of the programme.
He urged participants to apply and enhance their skills to support the agricultural mechanization drive of both the state and federal governments.
Mrs Altine James, Rural Institutions, Gender and Youth Mainstreaming Officer (RIGYMO) of VCDP in Taraba, said the programme specifically targets women and youths in its implementation.
James explained that the initiative had developed an enterprise model along the rice and cassava value chains, aiming to boost production, processing, marketing, and wealth creation for youths and women.
She noted that the programme collaborated with Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai, to provide basic fabrication training to youths, who later received refresher training to update their skills.
“Some of the youths, already engaged in production, processing, and marketing, have shown interest in our value chain programme,” James said.
“We initially collaborated with Taraba State Polytechnic for basic fabrication training. The refresher training focused on enhancing their skills and knowledge, particularly in designing and fabricating a rice thresher.
“This machine can thresh two bags of rice within one hour, requires minimal space, runs on diesel, and has unique components that can be manufactured locally. It brings agro-processing, mechanization, and equipment closer to rural communities.
“Our mandate is to ensure mechanization reaches rural areas, making agriculture more attractive, especially to women and youths,” she added.
Mr Dangana Agabi, a rice thresher manufacturer from Wukari, commended VCDP for enhancing his technological skills. He said the refresher training had improved his knowledge, particularly in value addition for rice threshers.
Mr Nasiru Sulaiman, a gas cylinder producer from Jalingo, also thanked VCDP, noting that the training would diversify his skills in the manufacturing industry. Sulaiman added that acquiring the skill to produce rice threshers was a significant boost for his business.
