USAID, Nigerian firm retool Osun youths

Leading agritech startup, EZFarming, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have kick-started an empowerment programme for unemployed youths in Ogbaagba community, Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area of Osun State.

The training, which held at the weekend in collaboration with Oba Agbowu of Ogbaagba land, Oba Sikirulahi Akiropo attracted youths and farmers from Ogbaagba, Telemu, Iwo and neighbouring communities.

The Commissioner graced the event for Energy and Water Resources, Dr. Tadese Amidu Raheem, his Agriculture and Food Security counterpart, Adedayo Adewole, and representatives of HarvestPlus Nigeria.

Founder of EZFarming, Dr. Adewale Oparinde, in his address, said the programme was to connect investors to smallholder farmers and provide them with opportunity to expand their farms, increase their income and tackle youth unemployment.

He said: “It is comforting that we are here today for this programme after a long wait for the trickling down today of the benefits of the collaboration between EZFarming and the community represented here today. 

“We specially appreciate the active support of the Oba, Agbowu of Ogbaagba land, who has been so welcoming and accommodating towards the empowerment of the people of Ogbagba, its environs, Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area and Osun State in general.

“We are launching the commencement of this programme which helps to connect investors to famers in Osun State, while empowering smallholder farmers to expand their farms to commercial sizes and provide jobs to the unemployed youth population. This is made possible with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).”

Oba Akiropo, on his part, said he was excited about the prospect of the initiative and its impact on the community, noting that the people “are desirous of progress and development, which is why they have signed up for the programme.

Also speaking, Commissioner Adewole said the government “is backing the initiative because of its objective of increasing food production in the state and tackling unemployment.”