Sahara Group rolls out plans to empower 500,000 youths, women

Sahara Group have rolled out Food Africa Project in Kaduna state a which is expected to empower about 500,000 youths and women in agriculture.

While replying Nigerian Tribune questions through email, the group said the project is in partnership with United Nations-Sustainable Development Goal Fund (UN SDG-F), Roca Brothers and the Kaduna State Government.

According to the group “the Food Africa Project is our first real area of intervention in Nigeria agriculture. The project is a collaborative initiative between Sahara Group, United Nations-Sustainable Development Goal Fund (UN SDG-F), Roca Brothers and the Kaduna State Government, directed at empowering the people and alleviating poverty through food security as well as social inclusion for sustainable national development.

“Our main target is young men and women between the ages of 15 and 45 from local communities around the country who are very much interested in agriculture.

“The Food Africa project is a pilot venture which was only launched about 2 weeks ago. As a result, we are still at the initial stages with very minimal effects on beneficiaries.

“However, the project is an Agro-base initiative envisaged to integrate the entire food value chain – the farmer, wholesaler, retailer and consumer- providing a sustainable source of food security, poverty alleviation and eradication, skill acquisition and social inclusiveness.

“It is intended to provide employment, eradicate poverty and empower the people – It is estimated that about 500,000 people will be impacted both directly and indirectly by the project.”

The group also said that the project if successfully implemented in Kaduna state, will be extended in other states in the country.