OCP Africa collaborates with ATBU to empower 30 youth on soil sampling techniques.
OCP Africa collaborates with
By Ahmed Ahmed
The Office Chérifien des Phosphates, (OCP) Collaborate with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi, trained and to empower 30 youth on soil sampling and testing techniques to boost Agriculture production.
Head Agronomy for OCP Africa Fertilizers Nigeria Ltd s Dr Donald Madukwe, stated this at the training and empowerment opening ceremony on Monday in Bauchi
He said the empowerment and training program is under the Empowering African Youth (EMAY) and agric promoter project.
Madukwe said the participants will undergo specialized training by the credible tertiary institutions of learning.
Dr Madukwe stressed that the participants will undergo capacity training developed by the faculty of Agriculture of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University ATBU to enable them to function as value creators within the Agriculture value chain.
“For them to become proficient in technical and commercial skills to be able to function as service providers and independent business owners within the Agriculture ecosystem, to eke out a means of livelihood,”
He explained that OCP empowers African youths by facilitating their participation in the business of Agriculture partnered with the ATBU to commence the pilot phase of its EMAY project in Nigeria.
“Empowering African Youth (EMAY) seeks to equip young Nigerians with capabilities to be self-employed and future agriculture-entrepreneurs.
“The first phase beneficiaries of thirty (30) youths are selected from Sokoto, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Bauchi States, having been screened based on criteria with a certificate in Agriculture, experience with farmer engagement, entrepreneurship drive among others,” he said
According to him, as the youths participating in the EMAY project are called – will be empowered with agronomy technical know-how and agricultural tools.
“Such as mobile digital soil laboratories for soil testing and analysis, Cargo tricycles to reach rural farming communities as last-mile retailers of inputs, Electronic Tablets for data gathering using a digital solution.
“Small handheld implements to enable them deliver value to smallholder farmers in rural communities.
He said that after the training and handing over of the items, the Young Leaders will be supported with monthly stipends for some initial period of time to enable their businesses to take root and stabilize.
In his remarks, Professor Mohammed Abdulaziz the Vice-Chancellor, ATBU, commended OCP Africa on the initiative, according to him, this will help increase the participation of youth in agriculture and food production in the country.
He encourages the participants to be focused and attentive during the training session, saying as knowledge gathered will determine the support and quality of value they deliver to smallholder farmers.
OCP Africa collaborates with
