The Rivers State Government has approved a comprehensive Youth Agribusiness Training Programme aimed at empowering young people while strengthening the state’s SME-driven agricultural economy. The initiative, approved by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is positioned to boost food security, job creation, and sustainable economic growth through youth-led agribusiness enterprises.
The programme is designed to equip Rivers State youths with practical skills, modern agricultural knowledge, and entrepreneurial capacity across multiple value chains. Areas of focus include crop production, livestock farming, aquaculture, agro-processing, agribusiness management, and agricultural technology, all of which present strong opportunities for micro and small enterprise development.
By repositioning agriculture as a profitable and market-driven venture, the initiative aligns with the state’s broader economic diversification agenda. Participants will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and exposure to modern agribusiness practices that support value addition, innovation, and competitiveness within local and regional markets.
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For MSMEs, the programme is expected to expand the pool of skilled agripreneurs capable of building viable businesses, strengthening supply chains, and supporting agro-based industries. Youth participation in agriculture is also projected to reduce unemployment while increasing productivity across the sector.
The Rivers State Government has encouraged interested youths with a genuine passion for agriculture to take advantage of the opportunity. The initiative reinforces the state’s commitment to youth empowerment, agribusiness development, and the creation of a resilient SME ecosystem that contributes meaningfully to long-term economic growth.
