The Enugu state government has reiterated its determination to empower youths
with agricultural innovations to drive the process of the GDP projection of the
state to $30b. Dr Patrick Ubru, Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-
Industrialisation in Enugu State who made this known on while declaring open the
Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-1 (ATASP-1) Youth in
Agribusiness Incubation Training at Trans Ekulu, Enugu said agricultural
transformation and innovation drives the state government envisioned GDP
growth projection from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
A total of 50 youth incubatees selected from eight participating local
governments in Anambra and Enugu, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Zone coverage area
are participating in the 10-day incubation programme. He said Governor Peter
Mbah administration in conjunction with ATASP-1 and other donor funded
agencies, is retooling and empowering youths with agricultural innovations.
According to him, there are endless opportunities in modern agriculture for
youths that have the energy and drive; and all the value-chains are open, which
includes digital agricultural marketing if one does not want to go to the farm.
The commissioner said “As you are already aware of Enugu State Government’s
core vision, led by His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah is to grow the state’s GDP from
$4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031. While between 40 per cent and 50 per cent of
this target is expected to be generated from the agricultural sector, it should be
noted that no country develops without sustainably huge investments in
agriculture.”
The government was not just pontificating, it was also putting its words into
action. Dr. Ubru said further, “Being mindful of the above, His Excellency, Gov.
Mbah had paid seven years of counterpart funds for ATASP-1 and many other
donor agencies’ funds within the first few months into his administration.” That is
an indication that the government is not just serious about giving support to the
sector, it is demonstrating its belief and commitment by committing resources to
it.
The National Programme Coordinator ATASP-1, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, informed
participants that the Federal Government launched ATASP-1 to attract private
sector investment in agriculture and ensure food and nutritional sufficiency.
Arabi, represented by ATASP-1 National Agribusiness Specialist, Dr Kunle Alege,
said: “The ATASP-1 is also transforming agricultural landscape through reduction
in post-harvest losses, value addition to local agricultural produce, development
of rural infrastructure and enhance access of farmers and other value chain actors
to financial services and markets.”
According to him, “The objective is to Enhance Food and Nutrition Security,
Poverty Alleviation, Employment Generation, Wealth Creation, Rural Access and
Accessibility and facilitation of financial services and Markets for the benefiting
communities of the Programme.”
Arabi said that the project had developed strategies that would attract, train and
retain these youths in the agribusiness sector, adding that the youths would be
provided with on-the-job training and mentoring to improve their practical skills
and knowledge in agribusiness.
In his welcome address, the Zonal Programme Coordinator ATASP-1 Adani-Omor
Zone, Dr Romanus Egba, lauded the support and smooth working relationship of
the Enugu State Government.
Egba said: “I commend the agriculture-loving Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter
Mbah, for paying a huge backlog of 7-year arrears of ATASP-1 counterpart fund at
once. This shows the outright commitment and seriousness of the government
towards agriculture.
“I want everybody here to continue to pray and support the governor and our
amiable commissioner for more resources to be made available and for these
training to continue for thousands of youths across the state.”
He noted that the incubatees that performed exceptionally well during the
training and with a practical business plan/proposal would get seed fund as a
start-up grant adding that “ATASP is also linking the incubatees with lawmakers,
offices and organisations willing to support youth agribusinesses”.
One of the incubatees, Miss Amarachi Ezemaduekwe, appreciated the Federal
Government and ATASP-1 for providing the opportunity for the intensive and
extensive training; which had made an impact on her agribusiness outlook.
She said, “I am grateful to all, especially ATASP-1 that made the training possible. I
will appeal for a sort of support for us to practically engage in what we have
learnt here.”
