Over 200 young farmers from different parts of the country are on their way to Israel and Morocco for a six-day intensive training in greenhouse farming and livestock management.
This is part of the Federal Government’s National Young Farmers Scheme, (NYFS), a programme managed by the National Land Development Authority (NALDA).
Speaking at the send-off of the first batch in Abuja, NALDA’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Prince Paul Ikonne, said the training had become necessary to allow the young farmers to acquire advanced knowledge that would benefit the country for many years to come.
“So, we are sending them to countries that we know have string expertise on what we are doing; Israel and Morocco, and this is to enhance their knowledge and to expose them to modern-day practice in crop production and animal husbandry.
“So, 200 young farmers would be sent for capacity building in Israel and Morocco,” he said.
100 of the young farmers will be engaged in the process of learning proper crop production and greenhouse management, while the other 100 will be engaged in animal husbandry, slaughtering and meat processing.
Ikonne said the young men and women selected from across the 36 states and the FCT will be integrated into NALDA farm programmes, which makes it more sustainable and unique.
He further revealed that when they return they would be empowered by the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He said, “We are doing a programme that supports farmers, which CBN is funding, and these young farmers that are going also have their names on the list.
“The challenge they would have had is land but NALDA is here with the partnership we are enjoying with CBN for them to get that support.”