Office Chérifien des Phosphates, (OCP) in partnership with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi and has begun the training of 30 youth selected in five states from my the north to boost Agriculture under the pilot phase of its Empowering African Youths (EMAY) project in Nigeria.
The one week long training by OCP Africa, one of the leading companies in the global production and exportation of phosphate-based fertilizers, is aimed at empowering African youths by facilitating their participation in the business of Agriculture.
The Empowering African Youth (EMAY) project seeks to equip 30 young Nigerians, in the first phase, haven been screened based on criteria ranging from having a certificate in Agriculture, experience with farmer engagement and entrepreneurship drive and drawn from Sokoto, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and Bauchi States, with capabilities to be self-employed and be future agriculture-entrepreneurs.
The Head Agronomy for OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Ltd., Donald Madukwe, who spoke during the opening ceremony of the training held at the Bauchi State Agriculture Development Programme, on Monday, said the participants will undergo specialized training so thay they can become proficient in technical and commercial skills to enable them function as service providers and independent business owners within the Agriculture ecosystem, thereby eking out a means of livelihood for them.
He said the participants will undergo bespoke capacity training as developed by the faculty of Agriculture of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU to enable them function as value creators within the Agriculture value chain.
Madukwe added that the Young Leaders will be empowered with agronomy technical know-how and agricultural tools, such as mobile digital soil laboratories for soil testing and analysis, Cargo tricycles to reach rural farming communities as last mile retailers of inputs, Electronic Tablets for data gathering using digital solution, and small handheld implements to enable them deliver value to smallholder farmers in rural communities.
“The EMAY project, the Agripromoter project, these are projects that are geared towards empowering the youths to support agriculture.
“The EMAY project is designed to train youths in different skill areas in agriculture, to enable them support the rural farmers, to improve their productivity, their yield and their income, thereby, improving their livelihood.”
He said that after the training and handing over of the items, the Young Leaders will be supported with monthly stipends to enable their businesses take root and stabilize.
The Vice-Chancellor, ATBU, Prof. Muhammad Abdullazeez, who also spoke, commended OCP Africa on the initiative saying that this will help increase the participation of youth in agriculture and food production in the country.
He encouraged them to be focused and attentive during the training session as knowledge gathered will determine the support and quality of value, they deliver to small holder farmers.
