The National Directorate of Employment in Edo on Wednesday said it trained 134 youths on modern agricultural practices in Esako West Local Government Area in 2013.
The NDE Coordinator in Edo, Ms Ayo Edegbai, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin that the programme was sponsored by the directorate and Mr Philip Shaibu, the Majority Leader, Edo House of Assembly.
Edegbai said that the training was organised for school leavers to learn modern ways of agricultural production and management.
The programme, which began in July 22, 2013, lasted three months.
“The programme essentially adopts integrated theoretical/hands-on training in agricultural production and management to build the capacity in the rural populace.
“This entails the establishment of agricultural skills training centres, acquisition of hectares of undeveloped land for demonstration and procurement of training materials.
The participants had training in agricultural practice for a period of four months; one month of theoretical work and three months of industrial attachment.
On completion of this training, the participants are posted to selected indigenous entrepreneurs and government farms for industrial attachment.
This is indeed a good step in the right direction.
