No fewer than 30,000 youths in Ondo state have been trained under the FADAMA III project by both the State government and the World Bank as a way of engaging youths in agribusines, thereby reducing the unemployment rate and their involvement in anti social vices.
About N30 million has also been given as grant to empower 220 youths on Asejere Youth village, Owe-Ileoluji, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state to engage in any agro business of their choice.
The state Coordinator of FADAMA III, Olusiji Olatunji stated this on Wednesday during the Geo-Strategic Study Tour to Ondo State from National Defence Academy, Abuja, Course 26 led by Air Commodore Sunday Makinde with the theme: “Youth Empowerment and National Security; Issues and prospect,”
Olatunji outlined the achievements of the project since 2011 when 17 Youths villages were established, reiterating that about 5,000 youths have benefited from grant in FADAMA III as about $7.8 million has been earmarked to FADAMA III project to empower youths and other projects.
He said participants in the scheme are allowed to choose any Agro business while government provide lands, grants and monitor the progress of the farms, adding that the purpose of the project is to nurture youths to become commercial farmers in Nigeria.
The Coordinator said the youths villages are serving as a training centres to University students, the villages and agricultural products to the state at large.
The leader of the team, National Defence Academy Abuja, Course 26, Air Commodore Sunday Makinde said the tour is to see what the state is doing to engage youths and draw their attention away from anti social vices and enhance security.
Yomi Ayeleso Akure
