Some farmers trained by
the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Bayelsa State have urged the Federal Government to fund training on mechanised agriculture for unemployed Nigerians.
The farmers said that adequate funding of such training would go a long way in solving the unemployment problem as well as attract youths to agriculture.
One of the farmers, Mr Kode Cameron, who spoke with newsmen in Yenagoa, commended the NDE on efforts made to create jobs.
“I am a trained farmer from the NDE programme.
“The government is doing well by establishing training centres for skill acquisitions, but we still need more support.
“Financial support after training should be made available to encourage young farmers.
“I graduated three months ago and since then, I do not have money to practice what I have been trained for. Money is the huge challenge in skills acquisition.
“The support can be in form of loan or providing some farm tools that can help a starter,” Cameron said.
Another farmer Mr Osain Pulasua, also trained by the NDE expressed sadness that some skills acquired were being dumped due to the lack of finance.
Pulasua also said that making capital available would encourage young farmers in agriculture.
“It is not good acquiring both practical, theoretical and tactical skills without their being put to use. We need improvement in the agriculture sector,” he said.
The Coordinator, Bayelsa State Office of the NDE, Mr Apakasa David, said that the directorate had recorded huge success in its operations.
David also urged youths in the state to be courageous in skill acquisition.
“The best thing in life is to acquire skills. NDE has rural farming skill development scheme, information and communication technology training, bakery and sewing, among others.
“On funding and support to the trainees, the Federal Government will not relent to ensure that unemployment is tackled in the country,” he said.
