AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
THE National Directorate of Employment, Ebonyi State, has flagged off orientation ceremony and training for beneficiaries of the 2021 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS).
Flagging off the three months training workshop at Ezzangbo, Ohaukwu Local Government area of Ebonyi State, the State Commissioner for Agricultural and Natural Resources, Moses Nomeh, said, with the current realities in Nigeria, the nation and citizens would find it difficult to exist profitably without venturing into farming.
According to him, even God acknowledged the importance of farming by putting the first human in the farm – Garden of Eden – after creation.
He charged the participants not to feel too big to venture into farming, noting that the benefits were enormous.
He also pointed out that past governors of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi, Sam Egwu and former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, were farmers.
The Commissioner said, “My annual basic agricultural income as a farmer is N20 million. I urge you not to feel too big to venture into farming. Our former governors, His Excellencies, Chief Martin Elechi, Dr Sam Egwu and even ex-Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, are farmers. Salary earners are servicing poverty. To be a civil servant is to be a slave.
“Last year alone, I harvested 20 metric tonnes of rice. When people in other sectors increase prices of the commodities and services, I will increase prices of my farm products too. I don’t pray to be a civil servant. I told them government can’t be able to pay me. Even if I leave office as commissioner, I will not go for civil service, because government will not be able to pay me.
“So if you want to make it big, listen attentively to the resource persons, grab the full knowledge and upgrade your selves. I started my farming business with fifteen thousand naira (N15, 000.00) only. You too can make it.”
The Commissioner assured of robust collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment so as to increase the level of entrepreneurship for self reliance of citizens in the state.
On his part, Acting Director-General of the NDE, Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, represented at the flag off ceremony by the state Coordinator, Igboanude Marcel, said the NDE would not only expose the selected 100 youths and women to self-reliant agricultural skills, but would also make take-off funds available.
He added that the three months training was to enable the beneficiaries get modern agricultural knowledge, saying it was expected that at the end, the beneficiaries would set up big farms to ensure provision of food, meat, create employment, and boost the economy of the state, among others.
