President Buhari Launched The National Young Farmers Scheme

President Muhammadu Buhari today “launched the National Young Farmers Scheme” designed by the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) to spur greater youth interest in farming.

NALDA is being resuscitated after close to 20 years of abandonment.

In his remark at the launch of National Young Farmers Scheme,  the President said agriculture remains the backbone of the Nigerian economy, being the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“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 modern, mechanized farming. I am confident that, under my watch, Nigeria will achieve food security; we will produce most of what we eat”.

“We will do more to expand, modernize and revolutionize our agriculture, which is our most important asset.

“By virtue of my passion and desire for agriculture and also as a farmer myself, I am directly supervising NALDA as an authority under the Presidency.

“I am asking the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and State Governments to give full cooperation to NALDA in its activities. With the success of Anchor Borrowers programme spearheaded by the Central Bank of Nigeria and new programmes to revive cotton, palm products and cocoa, the next few years will see a vast difference in our agricultural performance.’’

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President said all the necessary equipment had been given. charging the Executive Secretary/CEO of NALDA and his team to continue to live up to expectations and increase their activities in local communities.

“I am told that, so far, 4,333 families have benefited from this scheme and it is expected that many more individuals and families will benefit as the programme is rolled out.

“I now flag off the National Young Farmers’ Scheme.  It is my expectation that the Scheme will take in young Nigerians, graduates and non-graduates alike, and be part of this Government’s effort to reduce unemployment and contribute to the regeneration of agriculture and our economy.’’

Also present at the launching the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan said, there was a need to encourage agricultural agencies, like NALDA, to work closely with the research institutions in Nigerian universities.

Mr Paul Ikonne the Executive Secretary/CEO of NALDA, said the discovery of oil in the country hampered the growth of agriculture and increased poverty in rural communities.

“Our focus is to engage 1,000 farmers from each of the 774 Local Government Areas, thereby creating 774,000, direct employment annually,’’

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 He added.

Also present at in event are: Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.