The Ondo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has launched an initiative to train and empower young women in modern agricultural practices, reinforcing its commitment to youth involvement in agribusiness.
As part of the program, 100 youths aged 18 to 35 years will undergo intensive training in April, focusing on innovative farming techniques to boost food production and sustainability in the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Wemimo Akinshola, revealed during a press briefing that an initial batch of young female farmers recently completed a three-month training on modern vegetable farming in Ogun State.
According to Akinshola, the training was facilitated through partnerships between the Ondo State Government and agricultural development organizations.
“This programme was designed to equip young women with modern farming techniques that will enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture,” Akinshola explained.
“The selected beneficiaries were trained on innovative vegetable farming methods, positioning them to contribute significantly to food production in Ondo State.”
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the state’s broader agenda to drive food security and self-sufficiency, ultimately transforming Ondo into an agribusiness hub within the next 24 months.
Akinshola disclosed that local government chairmen have been tasked with compiling names of interested candidates from their respective areas.
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The selection process will ensure fairness and transparency, with a total of 100 participants—70 females and 30 males—being chosen for the next phase.
“For the next batch, we have approved that local government chairmen should submit names of interested candidates within their jurisdictions.
“The selection process will be fair and transparent, ensuring that only those who are genuinely interested in agriculture are considered,” Akinshola stated.
He assured that the government remains committed to empowering young people in agriculture by providing them with technical skills, resources, and opportunities to thrive in the sector.
The Coordinator of the programme, Farmer Femi Ilesanmi, stressed that the initiative is specifically designed to empower young women and motivate them to engage actively in food production.
He noted that the first batch of trainees completed their program on March 24 and have now returned to Ondo State, equipped with modern agricultural skills.
“Now, they are professional agronomists, ready to apply what they have learned to improve food production and sustainability in Ondo State,” Ilesanmi said.
One of the beneficiaries, Ebhodaghe Blessing, described the training as a life-changing opportunity, expressing gratitude to the state government.
“This training has been an eye-opener for me. I have learned modern farming techniques, better ways to increase productivity and business strategies that will help me sustain an agricultural venture. I never imagined I would gain this much knowledge in such a short time,” she said.
