NGO, U.S. group collaborate to support youths on mechanised agric

U.S. Latino American Chamber of Commerce (USLACC) and its local affiliate group, FYJIO Group Africa, has strengthened collaboration on engaging Nigerian youths on mechanised agriculture.

The groups note that mechanised farming among the youth will check rate of unemployment in the country and boost food production.

Mrs Ifeoma Ejiogu, African Representative of USLACC and President, FYJIO Group Africa, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday at a N500 billion fund raising organised on the platform of Movement for Economic Empowerment and Growth in Africa development plan.

Ejiogu said that the development plan which would run for 10 years would empower young entrepreneurs, women and small and medium enterprises.

She added that plan would empower 20 African countries, beginning from the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

Ejiogu also said that her organisation was ready to facilitate funds for youths with creative business ideas and skills.

“The programme emerges a source of solution to alleviate poverty induced by unemployment and poverty rate in Africa.

“This movement intends positively to affect the operations of international trade and investment in Africa beginning from Nigeria.

“This programme is keen about moving Nigeria and Africa’s economy to the next level of higher productivity and economic boom through empowerment of small and medium enterprises,” she said.

According to her, the funds realised would be given to the beneficiaries as loans and grants for the improvement of peasants, artisans and value added local products ready for exportation.

“We encourage youths to engage in agriculture because this happens to be one of the sectors that can easily create jobs abundantly for our teeming youths.

“Presently, in our country, we have youths who do not have jobs but if they are looking for a quick, simple and easy way to create jobs, the best is to invest in agriculture.

“They can venture into arable farming, livestock farming and processing.

“We as an organisation will also give them market opportunities by exposing and leading them to international trade expositions.

“We know that the youths will not want to go into the old ways of farming and that is why we are encouraging mechanised farming and I can assure them that they will get their money back,” she said.

Dr Aliyu Zakari, a guest speaker at the occasion, also called on Nigerians to embrace Small and Medium Scale Email (SMEs), noting that they remained the bedrock of any country’s economy.

“SMEs are small businesses that contribute to local businesses, wherever you are in the country, just look around you and you will find a business you can venture into.

“SMEs empowers people, it creates jobs for yourself and others, it alleviates poverty, reduces social vices and creates money for the government.

“SMEs leads to economic growth and social development,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event presented representatives of the Attorney General of the Federation, General Manager Kebbi International Airport and state coordinators of FYJIO, among others.