Youths urged to embrace agriculture

YOUTHS have been advised to leverage on Nigerian’s comparative advantage in the production of plantain and pineapple by embracing agriculture in order to reduce unemployment in the country.

Acting executive director, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Dr Abayomi Olaniyan, gave the advice at the training workshop on plantain and pineapple value chain in Kwale, Delta State.

The workshop organized by NIHORT in collaboration with Chervi Global Resources Limited was facilitated by the member representing Ndokwa Ukwani federal constituency in the house of representatives Hon. Ossai N Ossai.

The director spoke of economic and nutritional values of plantain and how the waste (peels and leaves) can be turned into wealth adding that if the current production and marketing trends of pineapple were encouraged commercial production for export and local consumption would be enhance.

He disclosed that in some parts of the world, fermented pineapple juice was used to make vinegar and alcoholic spirit while its fibers were exploited for paper production.

To avoid the pit fall of the past in the country, the director argued it was important to create awareness among stakeholders and deliberately cultivate a wild spread attitude of employing improved production techniques and adding value to horticultural commodities in order to promote broad varieties of products storability, wilder usage and applications, enhanced returns to investment and export competitiveness.

In his remark, Ossai, said the idea of bringing the training to his Delta State was to prepare youths in the area to break new ground in order to be self-sufficient through the acquisition of agricultural skills.

Represented by an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on community development Mr. Obije Olokor, the  Reps member called for more skill acquisition programmes for the teeming population of unemployed youths.

Highlight of the training was the focus on multiplication of plantain suckers, uses of pineapple and making of soap from plantain stalks among others. The participants were exposed to thorough hands on practical through demonstration of the various aspects. The closing ceremony witnessed training evaluation and the presentation of certificate of attendance and starter pack (start up fund) to the trainees.