Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Friday inaugurated an agric business empowerment farm centre in Isuada, Owo Local Government Area, to boost job opportunities for the youths.
Akeredolu, represented by his Deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, assured that his administration would continue to make agriculture more attractive to youths in the state as a way to eradicate poverty.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the centre includes facilities for feedlot operational system, Garri processing factory and ultra modern poultry houses with many hectares for arable farming.
The governor said that the centre would create employment opportunities for the youths and urged them to embrace agriculture.
“Agriculture holds pivotal role for greatness of Nigeria. We have been according more funds to agriculture than any previous administration,” Akeredolu said.
He commended the collaborative efforts of Ondo state Agribusiness Empowerment Centre for training participants, stressing that food security would be enhanced for the benefit of the people.
He noted that the current administration would remain committed to the welfare of people of the state.
Earlier, Mr Akin Olotu, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Agriculture and Agricbusiness ascribed the success of the project to the support given by the governor.
Olotu said that over 200,000 seedlings of Cocoa would be distributed to farmers free of charge.
He said that most of the foods for homegrown feeding programme came from the hubs in the state.
“We cleared about 80 hectres for arable farming. We equally started our tomato agenda here. We are not doing it directly by ourselves, but we are creating enabling environment for interested farmers, especially youths.
“We have over 5,000 layers and all the eggs goes into school feeding,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Bodunde Adeyanju, said that they were taught the complete process on how to be rear browlers.
Adeyanju added that the programme was not politicised and commended the effort of the governor in revolutionising the agricultural sector. (NAN)