No fewer than 400 youths have been trained in poultry production and livestock management under the Seyi Tinubu Operation Back to Agriculture Initiative (SOBAI), as part of efforts to promote agricultural entrepreneurship, create jobs and improve food security
The agricultural skills training and induction programme was organised by Greaterworks Ventures Nigeria Ltd, in collaboration with the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), University of Abuja chapter, and the Poultry Farmers Forum, North Central Nigeria.
The organisers said the programme was designed to equip participants with practical agricultural knowledge and technical skills to enable them to establish businesses, generate income and become self-reliant
They said the initiative was also aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a viable means of livelihood amid rising unemployment and the need to strengthen food production
As part of the post-training support, the 400 beneficiaries are expected to receive broiler chicks, poultry feeds and essential veterinary drugs to enable them to commence poultry production
The organisers said the provision of starter inputs was intended to help participants translate the skills acquired during the training into practical business activities, rather than leave them with theoretical knowledge alone
They added that the support would enable beneficiaries to establish or expand poultry production ventures, generate income and build sustainable livelihoods
The initiative was organised in honour of Seyi Tinubu’s Operation Back to Agriculture campaign, which seeks to encourage greater youth participation in agriculture and promote economic empowerment through farming
The organisers said their approach combined skills acquisition with practical support to bridge the gap between agricultural training and access to business opportunities
They expressed appreciation to their partners, facilitators and participants for contributing to the programme’s success, reiterating their commitment to developing a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs