News in Brief:
– Abia State is sending 300 farmers for agricultural training to combat food insecurity and empower young people.
– Governor Otti highlighted the high cost of food imports despite abundant land and called for a shift towards self-sufficiency through this initiative.
In a bid to tackle food insecurity and empower young people, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced the selection and sponsorship of 300 farmers for a two-week intensive agricultural training program.
During the ceremony, Governor Otti emphasised the importance of prioritising agriculture for national food security. He highlighted the substantial financial strain caused by food imports, stating that Nigeria spent a staggering ₦7.8 trillion in the last six years despite having vast swathes of arable land.
Furthermore, Governor Otti elaborated on the financial burden, revealing that ₦1.9 trillion was spent on food imports in 2021, followed by ₦2 trillion annually in 2022 and 2023. These figures, he explained, represent over 11% of the national budget, underscoring the urgent need for a shift towards self-sufficiency.
Training the next generation of farmers
Meantime, the chosen 300 beneficiaries will undergo the training program at CSS Global Integrated Farm in Nassarawa State. Governor Otti stated that these individuals will serve as crucial ambassadors for Abia State upon their return.
To this end, Governor Otti praised Professor John-Kennedy Opara, founder and CEO of CSS Global Integrated Farms, for his support towards the Abia State government. He emphasised his commitment to the agricultural training program’s success and extended an invitation to Prof. Opara, to establish a farm within Abia State.
Additionally, the governor gave assurances of a streamlined land acquisition process. He promised the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within 30 days to expedite the establishment.
Meantime, Otti urged the beneficiaries of the training programme, to utilise the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to spearhead agricultural transformation within the state.
Finally, the Governor reassured the participants that the state government would cover all expenses throughout their training program.
