The Kwara State Ministry of Youth Development has announced plans to train and financially empower young people to drive an agricultural revolution in the state.

Commissioner Shehu Ndanusa outlined this strategy during a recent courtesy visit to the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) in Ilorin. He stressed the need to enhance youths' capacity in agribusiness, rural development, and entrepreneurship to create sustainable job opportunities and reduce unemployment.

Mr Ndanusa highlighted the importance of collaborating with ARMTI, an institution renowned for its expertise in agricultural training and rural development. He stated that such partnerships will equip young agripreneurs with practical skills in business management and farming techniques, fostering self-reliance and economic growth.

The commissioner emphasized that the ministry's focus is on transforming Kwara's agricultural sector by aligning youth empowerment initiatives with the state's development goals. ARMTI's role, he noted, will be critical in providing the technical training required to turn agricultural innovation into a viable career path for the youth.

Responding, the executive director of ARMTI, Dr Olufemi Oladunni, said that the youths remain the major focus of ARMTI.

Mr Oladunni also said that the agency trains youths, gives them starter packs and follows them up to ascertain participants are well established.

He said that the institute was prepared to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ministry, in order to formalise the collaboration.

He emphasised that the partnership would aim at providing young Nigerians with essential training, technical support, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agricultural sector.

He also said that the collaboration would help to create employment opportunities for the youths, boost food security and drive rural economic growth.

(NAN)