FG to create 3m jobs through agriculture

The federal government on Wednesday emphasised its resolve to create three million jobs through agriculture over the next five years.

Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, stated this in a message to the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair.

Wogu, represented by Mr Clement Elu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said the National Directorate of Employment would play significant role in actualising government objective.

"Let me assure you that the directorate will step up operations in its agricultural sector interventions through the Rural Employment Promotion Initiative, as well as other job creation programmes."

According to him, the directorate has contributed immensely to the success of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

"In 2013, about 2,590 youths were trained in various agricultural skills and introduced into the main stream of economic activities in the 36 states and FCT.

"These new agro entrepreneurs were equipped with training, ranging from livestock production, aqua culture, micro-livestock farming, crop processing and agro allied services and businesses."

He urged the beneficiaries to key into the nations collective industrialisation vision.

In a welcome address, Alhaji Abdul-Alimi Bello, President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), said the fair was meant to bring investors together to generate new businesses and create employment.

Represented by Mr Garba Mshelia, the president said the aim was also to fast track national economic growth and development.

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