Fifty selected serving corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kwara State have undergone training on value addition and post-harvest management of agricultural commodities.
The corps members, who are graduates from various academic disciplines, received training on value-addition techniques for agricultural products such as fish, roots and tubers, grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as packaging.
During the closing ceremony of the five-day training program organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) in Ilorin, Professor Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director of the institute, stated that the main objective of the program was to promote self-reliance, self-employment, and enhance productivity among the youth.
Professor Sanni emphasized that agriculture is no longer just an activity but a thriving business enterprise. He highlighted the significance of value addition in agribusiness, which creates job opportunities, increases farmers’ income, ensures food abundance, and reduces post-harvest losses.
“In recognizing this, the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) becomes a reliable partner for the youth corps members to enhance their skills and develop networks for the next generation of Nigeria’s agricultural entrepreneurs by harnessing the potential of the post-harvest value chain,” he said.
Professor Sanni also mentioned that any of the trained corps members who submit promising proposals at the end of their service year would have the opportunity to secure N2 million in support.
He further explained that the institute had already provided N2 million as startup seed money to three corps members from Kwara and Oyo states after verifying their business proposals following their service year.
The NSPRI Executive Director noted that the training had been conducted in various states including Kwara, Oyo, Delta, Rivers, and Lagos, and had now returned to Kwara State.
He highlighted that this was the ninth training in the series of Capacity Building of corps members on Value Addition and Post-harvest Management of Agricultural crops conducted by the institute.
“NSPRI is the only research institute with the mandate to research into post-harvest management of agricultural crops produced and consumed in the country, in order to reduce post-harvest losses, maintain quality, and ensure food safety and security,” he added.
The NSPRI expressed appreciation to the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Olu Onifade, for supporting the program and releasing corps members to participate in the training.
During the ceremony, Alhaji Hassan Mohammed, the Director of Agric Services at the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged the corps members to think big and start small.
He urged them to become small-scale entrepreneurs and consider exporting their products to other African countries, particularly with the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
The NYSC State Director, Olu Onifade, emphasized that the era of white-collar jobs should be abandoned in favour of a skill-driven economy.
He assured the corps members that the agency places great importance on youth development and urged them to have confidence in their abilities.
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