Nigeria’s Buhari launches agricultural scheme to create 774,000 jobs

The president was speaking at the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

JOHANNESBURG, November 11 (ANA) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has launched an agricultural initiative which is set to create 774,000 jobs annually.

According to a statement posted online by his special adviser, Femi Adesina, Buhari urged agencies involved in agriculture to further streamline their priorities in the inclusion of youth in driving modern methods of farming while assuring all those interested that an enabling environment will be created for full participation.

The president was speaking at the launch of the National Young Farmers Scheme, designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

“We will do more to expand, modernise and revolutionise our agriculture, which is our most important asset. I have directed that all NALDA’s abandoned farm estates be retrieved to enable thousands of our young men and women to be engaged in farming.”

The CEO of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, said the discovery of oil in the country hampered the growth of agriculture and increased poverty in rural communities. He assured the president that the concerted effort to revive interest in farming will tackle poverty and create wealth.

Ikonne said the resuscitation of NALDA after close to 20 years of abandonment will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the country, especially among the youth.

“Our focus is to engage 1,000 farmers from each of the 774 local government areas, thereby creating 774,000 direct employment annually,” he added.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher