The Edo State Government has prioritised the development of livestock and fisheries projects with a programme that targets youths to revitalise the state’s agricultural sector for improved food security.
This was disclosed by the governor when he signed the state’s 2018 budget into law at the Government House, Benin City.
Obaseki, who stressed that the state was committed to providing incentives for youths to participate in income generating activities, especially agriculture, noted that the state government was intent on getting youths engaged.
According to Obaseki, “In the area of agriculture, I observed that the House increased our estimates significantly by almost 100 per cent. In particular, in the area of livestock and fisheries, there was a N1billion increase.
“This is important because, as you know, we have a lot of initiatives in this regard, especially as it relates to the resettlement programme we have for persons who were trafficked and have now returned, as well as the young people we are encouraging to go into entrepreneurship.”
Part of the state government’s strategies to engage youths include a robust agricultural programme. This includes the proposed agriprenuer programme, which is going to be rolled out fully in the first quarter of 2018 and will engage 55,000 youths.
Obaseki said that the agricultural programme targeting returnees will enable them contribute to economic growth, as about N100 million and 150 hectares of farmland have been allocated to the state government’s reintegration scheme.
The programme is anchored by the state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Benin-Owena River Basin Authority, among others.
