The Ekiti State government has concluded arrangement to provide jobs for 1,500 youths under its Youth Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (YCAD).
The move is aimed at reducing unemployment in the state and ensuring that agriculture contributes 50 per cent of the state’s Internally-generated revenue (IGR).
The initiative is also intended to turn the farm settlements in the state into centres of excellence in agriculture and ensure all-round production of cash crops in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Babajide Arowosafe who disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti,? said the YCAD scheme would be launched by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on April 26.
Arowosafe noted that YCAD is a step by the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration to promote agriculture and enhance youth empowerment in the state.
‘The programme is aimed at engaging serious-minded youths with entrepreneur spirit to be engaged to become successful business players in the future.’
The commissioner who assured that the selection of beneficiaries of YCAD would not be based on partisan affiliation of the interested youths stressed that candidates would be shortlisted for interview after a thorough review of their application forms.
He advised youths interested in the scheme to obtain application forms at the agricultural development project (ADP) offices, farm settlements and farm centres nearest to them.
Arowosafe emphasised the need to complete and submit the forms in order to be part of the selection process of the first phase of the scheme.