Ondo State to tackle unemployment through agriculture

Ondo State Government said it had mapped out strategies to reduce the rate of unemployment among youths through agriculture.

Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye, the Chairman of the state Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure.

He spoke while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and Third National FADAMA Development Project.

The WECA chairman, who signed on behalf of the state government, said that agriculture could provide massive employment opportunities for youths.

Olafunmiloye said the collaboration of the agencies was to move the sector forward and boost food production in the state and the country at large.

She said that the development would develop the agricultural sector and change mindset of youths towards agriculture by encouraging them to adopt modern system of farming.

According to her, the MoU is expected to emphasise the development of poultry production and cassava cultivation in the state.

The WECA chairman said that the move was in line with the policy of the current administration to partner reputable and committed individuals and organisations in promoting agriculture.

Olafunmiloye said that the government had established four Agro Business Cities (ABC) across the state with modern facilities to serve as incubation and training centres for youths.

Speaking on the value chain addition initiative of the government, she said the agency had established a number of agro allied industries for food processing.

Among them are 1000 daily capacity chicken processing plant at Akure with modern facilities and cassava processing plant at Ore Agro Business City.

She said that poultry production was critical to the economy and should be developed and harnessed to create job opportunities for youths.

According to her, it can also generate revenue for the government and stop the millions of naira being spent on importation of poultry products from other countries.

She, however, called for collaboration among all the stakeholders to achieve this.

Mr Festus Oyekunle, the state Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria and Mrs Jumoke Bakare, the state FADAMA project leader, expressed delight at the prospect of partnering with state government on agriculture.

They agreed that the development was with a view to sharpening the interest of youths in agriculture and make them to self employed as well as create wealth for themselves.