IFAD Task FG To Invest More In Agriculture For Youth Empowerment

THE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has called on the federal and state governments in Nigeria to invest more in agriculture not just to ensure food security but also to harness the potentials of the youths.

The Country Director of IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue stated this yesterday in Benin City the Edo State capital at the 5th Supervision Mission of the Lifelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) Project which is jointly funded by the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and IFAD.

The event attracted state project coordinators from the nine benefitting states where she said with request from the Nigerian government, the programme could be continued.

She commended the Edo State government for initiating the LIFE-ND Plus which would be funded by the state government in the eight local government areas that are not in the catchment area of the LIFE-ND.

The project is in 10 local government areas each in the benefiting states.

The Country Director stated that IFAD invested over $30m in the first phase of the LIFE-ND project with over 26,000 beneficiaries.

She said “Food sovereignty cannot be achieved without fully harnessing the potentials of the youth in agriculture. Youth has the largest population. So, LIFE-ND is aimed at empowering youth with practical skills using a model of business incubation. By the time they go through the incubation process, they come out as business owners. They are able to set up an agric business.

“Creating jobs for youths is the key to enabling growth; it is the key to peace; it is the key to development; it is the key to business growth.”

She said that also focused on women who she said were key to food production.”