Youth, women participation in agriculture, key to tackle unemployment ― Minister

The Federal Government has identified youth and women participation in the agricultural sector as one of its deliberate policy direction to tackle unemployment in the country.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, made the disclosure in Funtua , Katsina State, when he presented cash gifts and farm items donated by Muntari Mohammad, Chairman House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Representing Funtua / Dandume Federal constituency, for Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs in the Community.

The items include 140 motorcycles, 50 sewing machines, 1200 bags of fertilizers, 600 bags of grain to the Youth, Women, Widows and vulnerable families.

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The Minister said Nigeria previously spent about 1 trillion Naira annually on food importation but the present administration is determined to harness the abundant human resources into agricultural productivity to boost its economy and discourage food importation.

Shehuri said the occasion is an initiative that will engage the teeming youth and tackle unemployment in the country.

He said the worrisome unemployment rate can be turned into opportunities through agriculture, adding that the inability of a nation to feed its people undermines its corporate existence, particularly in the export market.

In his speech, the Speaker, House of Representative, Femi Gbajamiamila, represented by Ado Doguwa Kano, commended the efforts of Muntari Muhammad on the empowerment programme for his constituency and called on the Youth and Women in the area to take advantage of the opportunity.