The Abia State Government has commenced discussions with the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), on possible areas of collaboration to drive agribusiness development and youth empowerment in the state.
The initiative aligns with the vision of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to engage young people in agriculture and build capacity for improved food production and food security.
As part of this effort, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Clif Agbaeze, led a delegation on a fact-finding mission to the university’s Agribusiness Incubation Centre, headed by Dr. Philips Nto. The visit was aimed at assessing the facilities, manpower, and overall readiness of the university to partner with the ministry in delivering intensive agricultural training for Abia youths.
The proposed training will cover critical areas such as fish farming, processing and utilisation, open-field farming, greenhouse and screenhouse technologies, food processing and value addition, as well as livestock production, among others.
The programme, Dr. Agbaeze explained, will not only provide young people with practical skills but also prepare them for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, thereby contributing to food security and economic growth in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Nto assured the Commissioner and his team of MOUAU’s readiness to deliver top-quality training.
He emphasized that the university, working with the ministry, would leverage its expertise and manpower to ensure the success of the initiative.
