The Kwara state government through the ministry of youth development has said that it will train the youths and also empower them financially to drive the planned revolution in agriculture.
The commissioner, Shehu Ndanusa, said this on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the management of the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) in Ilorin.
Mr Ndanusa said that the ministry needed to build the capacity of the youths in agribusiness, rural development, and entrepreneurship to create more job opportunities for young people in the state.
He further said that the state needs the support of the institute for agripreneurs through skill acquisition and business management training.
According to him, ARMTI is known for expertise in agricultural training and rural development, hence collaborating with the state government will help equip youths with practical skills for self-reliance.
Responding, the executive director of ARMTI, Dr Olufemi Oladunni, said that the youths remain the major focus of ARMTI.
Mr Oladunni also said that the agency trains youths, gives them starter packs and follows them up to ascertain participants are well established.
He said that the institute was prepared to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the ministry, in order to formalise the collaboration.
He emphasised that the partnership would aim at providing young Nigerians with essential training, technical support, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agricultural sector.
He also said that the collaboration would help to create employment opportunities for the youths, boost food security and drive rural economic growth.
