The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), launched a comprehensive agribusiness training program for 500 students at Audu Bako College of Agriculture in Dambatta, Kano State.
The initiative is part of the Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA) program, primarily aimed to empower women, with 80% of participants being female.
The training covered essential areas such as competency-based technical skills, internship opportunities, and practical agribusiness support.
The initiative aims to equip students with the necessary tools to thrive in the agricultural sector, addressing critical skills gaps identified.
In her remarks, Mrs. Munnira Jibrin, IITA’s Desk Officer for Kano State, said the French government is committed to supporting the youth in developing competencies crucial for success in agribusiness.
“The training aims to provide women with support for their businesses,” Jibrin emphasized.
Also, M. Ado Rabo, the representative of the head of IITA in Kano, noted the program’s intent to foster self-reliance among female participants.
“The program was designed to train more women than men so that they will not depend on anyone; the initiative’s commitment is to empower women in agriculture,” Rabo said.
Meanwhile, Kano State’s Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusif Ibrahim Kofar Mata, expressed his satisfaction with the program’s focus on women.
He encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to cultivate their entrepreneurial skills.
“The more entrepreneurial you are, the more valuable you will be in society,” Mata said.
Mata also urged the college to engage with the ministry of agriculture to ensure effective implementation of their training.
Furthermore, the provost of Audu Bako College Agriculture Dambatta, Prof. M.A. Wailare, extended his gratitude to the French government for facilitating the training and acknowledged the Kano State government’s efforts in enhancing educational infrastructure in the college.
“Those who benefited from this program ought to make use of it and apply it appropriately,” Wailare said while emphasizing the value of putting the acquired abilities to use.
AgroNigeria reports that the turnout of students signifies a collective commitment to improving agricultural education and supporting women’s empowerment in the state.