ECOWAS has awarded $78 million in training grants to 150 farmers in Bauchi state and the FCT to enhance food security in Nigeria.
The beneficiaries are farmers of the Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS).
Ms. Massandje Touré-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economics and Agriculture, stated this on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of a training workshop on poultry farming for beneficiaries in Orozo, Abuja.
Touré-Litse said the funding will enhance the capacity of young people to participate in the agricultural value chain and food production.
The money will be used to train 150 youths in the poultry farming and fishing sectors, she said, adding that these two sub-sectors are the main drivers of the economy and development. of the sub-region.
She said ECOWAS has designed quality training modules and organized training for 3,032 young people (30% women and 70% men).
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Touré-Litse said the productivity and competitiveness of agriculture in West Africa tends to have a positive impact on food security, economic development and livelihoods in the sub-region.
According to her, ECOWAS agricultural policy is still the guiding framework for the bloc’s 15 members because it prioritizes productivity and competitiveness of agriculture.
She said the program aims to build the capacity of youth and women farmers and promote their access to resources and markets as well as their participation in agribusiness.
She added that there is an urgent need for intervention to support the participation of men and women in agriculture and youth employment, food chains, crops, forestry, livestock and fishing.
“Products from crops, livestock and fisheries are the second most important when we talk about intra-community trade and what is interesting is that among these, livestock is the most important product.
