Nigeria Content Online

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has
approved a total of N500 million micro finance fund for disbursement to
the first 100 graduates under the Agriculture Youth Empowerment Scheme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme, which is
being executed in collaboration with Dizzengof West Africa Ltd and the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was conceptualized to address the twin
problems of youth unemployment and food security. In an interview with
NAN on Saturday, Mr. Fashola said the loan was repayable in five years.

He said the scheme was one of several practical
solutions by his administration to tackle the challenges of youth
unemployment. The governor said the scheme was not limited to farming
alone as other components of the agricultural value chain such as
packaging and marketing were also incorporated.

“I am happy doing this because I see the birth of
a proper economy rooted in agriculture that supports
industrialization,” he said.

According to him, the scheme will be executed in
three phases spanning a period of five years with a target of producing
1,000 modern farmers. A cross section of the graduates described the
scheme as a practical solution to youth unemployment. They said they
were exposed to world class theoretical and practical training in
poultry, aquaculture, vegetable farming and business management as well
as the use of modern farm implements.

Salami Babajide, one of the graduates said the scheme had provided
him the opportunity for further training in Israel, adding that it
would guarantee him stable income. Another beneficiary, Blossom Onome,
said she left her teaching job to attend the training because of its
prospects.