Ogun trains over hundred youth on how to access fund for agric business
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Toward improving ease of doing business, especially among the farmers and agribusiness operators in Ogun State, the state government has held a four-day training for over 100 youths on how to access finance for agric business.
The Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Angel Adelaja-Kuye while speaking during the seminar held at Abeokuta revealed that the 100 youths were picked from the Ogun Job portal as part of the current administration’s efforts to reduce unemployment.
She said that the Ogun state government through the ministry of Agriculture partnered with Financial institutions to train 100 youths in order to ensure they have access to loans to boost their agric businesses.
Adelaja Kuye added that the job portal which was created by the State government has really helped in providing jobs for the youths in the state, saying that Governor Abiodun is working to empower youths in various sectors of the State economy, including agriculture, industry trade investment, health, education among others.
She said, “Today we are training about hundred individuals, this training is an empowerment itself because after the 4 -day training, they will get their certificates. That certificate is a key to so many different Agric finance opportunities which they will need to apply for in any financial institution.
“So, any financiers that see their certificates will know that they have gone through regress training, business plan writing and financial management on how to manage their business efficiently and they are more likely to get funds from financial institutions.
“The individuals were picked through the Ogun job Portal so it is open to any youth in the state who wants to apply. We sent information to all youths group, women groups. We also sent to local governments as well and we have youths across the state representing each senatorial districts here today to take part in the programme.
“This is just a pilot, the first of its kind, we will be doing more of this programme and it will be a regular activity, where we will continue to teach the youth to how to successfully fund their various agric businesses.
“The success of these youths is going to actually show other youths on how much opportunities are in accessing agricultural finance and we hope that even without this programme these youths can be a testament to how to effectively access Agriculture finance so that the young people around them can key in as well with or without the training,” She concluded
One of the participants at the training, Adewuyi David appreciated the state government for organizing the programme, saying that it was a fantastic one. He said that the initiative would help to expand his agric business when he has access to loans.
