Niger, AGRA train 1,000 women, youths on livestock production
By Rita Iliya
The Niger Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has trained 1,000 youths and women on livestock production to boost animal production in the state.
Mr Jonathan Wasa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, said this during the livestock entrepreneurship training for youths across Niger.
Wasa, who was represented by Abbas Mohammed, Director of Animal Production in the ministry, said the training was in partnership with Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
He said that 50 beneficiaries would be trained in the first phase with two persons selected from each of the 25 local government areas of the state.
“We decided to synergise with AGRA to train our women and youths to change their mindset in animal rearing to improve livestock production in the state.
“The aim is to transform our food system, support smallholder farmers as well as make our youths self-reliant,” he said.
The permanent secretary added that the training was also for the beneficiaries to get acquainted with the realities on ground.
“The plan was that the beneficiaries would be empowered financially and given basic tools and materials to start up livestock production,” Wasa said.
Speaking, Dr Matthew Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Agriculture, advised the beneficiaries to acquire skills on livestock production that would be beneficial to them.
In his remarks, Mr Godswill Aguiyi, the Programme Officer of AGRA in Niger, advised the beneficiaries to see the training as an opportunity to venture into businesses and enhance the agricultural sector.
He said that the aim of the training was to transform the food system, support smallholder farmers and help the youths become self-reliant.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training covered topics such as livestock production economics, business and pasture developments. (NAN)
Edited by Chidi Opara
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