UNESCO, South Korea Partner FCAPT Kano to Equip Youths with Agricultural Processing Skills

The Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology (FCAPT), Hotoro, Kano, has urged youths to embrace agriculture as a viable source of employment and wealth creation, following the inauguration of a skills acquisition programme on agricultural transformation and career development.

The Acting Provost of the college, Dr Salihu Salisu, made the call  during the commissioning of the Youth Skill Agricultural Transformation for Career Linkages and Sensitisation of Students programme held at the institution in Kano.

Salisu said the programme, organised in collaboration with UNESCO and the Republic of Korea, was designed as a long-term initiative to equip students and other participants with practical knowledge in post-harvest agricultural processing and value addition.

 He said the beneficiaries comprised students of the college as well as participants drawn from relevant industries.

According to him, the training is aimed at preparing participants for self-employment and entrepreneurship while contributing to the country’s agricultural value chain.

 “There is a lot of money in agriculture. Participants should take full advantage of this opportunity, as the skills acquired will enable them to become self-reliant and even employers of labour,” he said.

Also speaking, Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Alhaji Abdul Ajumawa, described the initiative as a strategic intervention that would empower youths with practical skills.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting programmes that promote youth empowerment, job creation and sustainable economic development.

In separate remarks, Mr Nnanna Ugochukwu Adonikam of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Mrs Patricia Ogungbemi, Director of Technology and Science Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, described the training as timely.

They reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural production, promoting value addition and enhancing food security through capacity-building initiatives for young Nigerians.