Greenhouse Technology: Federal Capital Territory Administration empowers 600 youths

Hudu Yakubu, Abuja.

Last updated May 21, 2022

No fewer than six hundred youths of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been empowered with practical skills in greenhouse farming technology, targeted at propelling them to gainfully venture into the agricultural sector.

The youths drawn from the FCT Agriculture-based youth groups across the six Area Councils were comprehensively engaged in a two-day capacity-building on greenhouse management practices, organized by the FCT Agricultural And Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) on Wednesday.

Flagging off the training, the ARDS Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, said the programme is in line with one of the policy thrust of the Administration, predicated on unearthing the abundant potentials of the agricultural sector within the territory as well as to positively engage the teeming population of youths in productive ventures across the various agricultural value chains.

“This is part of Mr. President’s call for us the agencies and ministries to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

“So we are introducing a new technology (Green House farming in the FCT, it is an all-year round programme to encourage our youths and women to venture into agriculture sector.

“Because, as we all know, everyday the population of Abuja is increasing as people from all walks of life come to look for jobs, and we don’t have the jobs. This is why we are introducing this new technology.

“Already, we have gotten approval from the Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, to establish additional two new greenhouses in Bwari and Kwali Area Councils respectively; so, my hope is to replicate this in the six Area Councils of the FCT before I leave office,” he stressed.

Earlier in her welcome address, Director, Agric Services at the ARDS, Mrs Ihekandu Francisca, explained that greenhouse technology is a new method of rapid multiplication of crop commodities, under controlled climate and environmental factors for increase in crop yield.

She added that the training will empower farmers, ensure self-sufficiency in sustainable agriculture, reduce youth restiveness, rural-urban youth drift, create jobs and alleviate poverty in the Territory.

“And if we all work together, definitely, we are going to create more jobs for the youths and enhance our economic development as a nation.”