As part of efforts to reduce the level of youth unemployment, the Federal Government has unveiled plans to empower 740,000 young agricultural producers in rural areas under its Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, while delivering a keynote address at a one – day stakeholders’ workshop on YEAP in Abuja.
The permanent secretary who was represented by the Director, Animal Production and Husbandry Services, Dr. Egejuru Eze, was quoted as saying that the programme would cover 36 states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the programme has commenced with six pilot states selected from the six geopolitical zones including Bauchi, Imo, Katsina, Lagos, Niger, and Rivers, adding that beneficiaries would comprise 20,000 school leavers and rural youth leaders from each state of the federation.
