The Delta State Government has launched a new agribusiness empowerment programme designed to train and support 1,000 young people with the skills and practical knowledge needed to establish profitable agricultural businesses.
The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond oil and make agriculture a stronger source of employment, wealth creation and economic growth. The programme was announced by the Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Val Arenyeka, during a three-day Wealth Creation Training Programme for youths in Ughelli.
Focus on youth participation
According to the state government, the programme is designed to help young people see agriculture as a business opportunity rather than simply a means of subsistence.
Arenyeka encouraged participants to take the training seriously and develop a business-oriented approach to farming. He said agriculture could provide young people with opportunities to create wealth, establish businesses and employ other people.
The programme is expected to provide participants with practical knowledge that can help them operate commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
Moving beyond subsistence farming
For many years, agriculture in Nigeria has been associated with small-scale and subsistence farming. The Delta State initiative is instead placing emphasis on agribusiness, where farmers can produce for commercial markets and build businesses around different stages of the agricultural value chain.
This could include crop production, livestock, food processing, storage, marketing and other agricultural services.
The state government believes that developing these areas can create more employment opportunities for young people while increasing local production.
Agriculture as an alternative to oil
Delta State is one of Nigeria’s major oil-producing states, but the government is seeking to reduce dependence on oil by developing other sectors of the economy.
Agriculture has been identified as one of the sectors capable of supporting this diversification.
The commissioner said the state has natural advantages that can support the cultivation of different crops, with opportunities for farmers to make use of the state’s agricultural resources.
The government hopes that increased investment in agriculture will encourage young people to become entrepreneurs instead of depending mainly on government employment.
Training and practical support
The three-day programme is intended to give participants practical skills and knowledge that they can use to establish agricultural enterprises.
Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Agriculture, George Oyefia, who organised the training, also encouraged youths to consider agriculture and agribusiness as pathways to economic independence.
The programme’s focus on practical knowledge is important because young entrepreneurs often face challenges such as limited technical skills, lack of capital and difficulty accessing agricultural resources.
Potential impact on employment
Youth unemployment remains a major economic concern across Nigeria. Programmes that help young people establish businesses could therefore contribute to job creation.
If participants are able to turn their training into successful agribusinesses, they could eventually employ other people and contribute to food production within the state.
The programme could also encourage more young Nigerians to consider agriculture as a modern business rather than an occupation limited to older generations.
Looking ahead
The success of the initiative will depend on what happens after the training. Continued access to finance, land, markets, equipment and technical support could be important in helping participants turn their new skills into sustainable businesses.
For Delta State, however, the programme represents another step towards using agriculture to create jobs, empower young people and diversify the state’s economy.
The initiative also reflects a wider push across Nigeria to attract more young people into agriculture and agribusiness as the country seeks to strengthen food production and create new economic opportunities.
