Speaking during an orientation meeting with the Incubators, Incubatees and Community Representatives, the State Coordinator of the programme, Mr. Ashoro Collins Owigho, disclosed that participants were drawn from various communities in 10 local government areas of the State.
Mr. Ashoro explained that the scheme is aimed at enhancing income, creating jobs and ensuring food security for youths in rural areas through agribusiness on a sustainable basis.
He averred that the programme is designed to engage the indigents in the rural areas, underemployed and unemployed male youths within the age bracket of 18-35 years.
The State Coordinator, revealed that women headed households with children below 15 years who are willing to engage in marketing of selected commodities were also picked.
While listing the comparative advantage commodities in the State to include; Cassava, oil palm, poultry, he noted that Incubators who are farm owners are to train their assigned incubatees in the cycle of a commodity.
According to Ashoro, the two components of the programme are enhancement of the economic opportunities for rural youths/women as well as project management and coordination as it relates to accessibility to farmlands and felt need of the Community.
Selected local government areas includes Ethiope east, Ethiope west, Ika north east, Ika south, Ndokwa west, Ndokwa east, Ughelli north, Sapele, Bomadi and Burutu.
An Incubator and co- owner of Gobas Farm LTD, Mr. Gold Obielum, said the programme would enable him train people without relying solely on his resources while availing the trainees opportunity to provide for their families and train others as well.
Miss. Lauretta Udeme, an incubatee, from Sapele local government area, thanked the organizers of the project for their activities adding that their actions would help her fend for her family.
The Life-ND project which is expected to operate for 12 years is funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the state government.
