In a major step toward boosting agricultural productivity and reducing youth unemployment, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, has equipped farmers, youths, and retirees with hands-on training in livestock and crop management.
The empowerment initiative, conducted under the institute’s Agric Centre for Training and Entrepreneurship Development (ACTED), offered participants practical skills in both animal husbandry and sustainable crop production. The program, which attracted individuals from diverse backgrounds, was designed to promote self-reliance, improve food security, and foster economic diversification.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the training, the Director and CEO of IAR&T, Professor Gabriel Oluwatosin, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s agenda to diversify the economy through agriculture.
“We are committed to building a resilient agricultural workforce by equipping Nigerians especially the youth with relevant and applicable skills,” he stated. “We urge participants to apply the knowledge gained and extend it to others in their communities.”
Participants were trained in the management of various livestock such as goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits, snails, and grasscutters, as well as in the cultivation of key crops including cassava, yam, vegetables, and the production of organic fertilizers.
The Training Coordinator, Professor Adeboye Omole, emphasized the importance of continuity and community impact.
“This is not just training; it’s a ripple effect. We expect trainees to become ambassadors of agricultural development and to transfer the knowledge to their peers,” he said.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely and life-changing. Many noted that the practical nature of the sessions gave them renewed confidence to venture into agribusiness as a viable source of income.
With food security and youth unemployment remaining critical challenges in Nigeria, programs like this are viewed as vital tools for national development. IAR&T’s continued efforts in capacity building place it at the forefront of sustainable agricultural transformation in the country.
