Governor Mimiko stated this on Monday during the inauguration/opening ceremony of the Scheme and One week training programme for the graduates held in Akure, the State capital.
Mimiko noted that agriculture provides the best avenue for employment and wealth generation aside oil and gas, stressing that youth empowerment through agriculture was part of his administration's policies to engage youth in productive venture.
He said four agro business cities with state of the art facilities comprising hostel accommodation for more than 1000 youth, dams, fish ponds and poultry houses among others have been established in the three senatorial districts of the State.
Mimiko restated his determination to key into federal government's programmes such as Growth Enhancement Scheme and Cassava Value Chain Programme that support his administration's vision in agriculture with a view to providing gainful employment for teeming youth.
He further explained that the state government was embarking on the clearing of 1000 hectares of land at Ore for the use of the profarmers out of which 500 hectares would be used to commence rice project in collaboration with its Malaysian partners.
The Governor added that about 1million oil palm seedlings were being transplanted from the nursery to plantation in Ore under his administration's oil palm revolution, noting that the revitalization of the state's cocoa plantation in Oda is to boost the establishment of its chocolate academy.
He said: "youth empowerment through agriculture is propelled towards a common goal of aligning with the vision of this administration's policy thrust. This can only become a reality if youths in Ondo State are gainfully employed in a productive venture under an articulated integrated and well-coordinated youth empowerment programme."
Earlier in her welcome speech, the Chairperson of the State wealth creation agency, Mrs Bola Olafunmiloye disclosed that each of the graduates would receive N30,000 monthly, noting that they have all been registered under the SURE-P Graduate Internship scheme (GIS).
She expressed optimism in the success of the programme as the state government has collaborated with reputable organizations such as IITA, Un-Habitat, USAID and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Culled from OndoTv
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