“Maximize Hidden Potentials in Agriculture”, cooperative Urge Government
To address the scourge of unemployment in the country, the National Agricultural Mechanization Cooperative of Nigeria (NAMCON) has urged the government to maximize hidden potentials in the agricultural sector.
Specifically, the President of NAMCON, Dr Aliyu Waziri, stated this in Katsina, at the inauguration of the agency’s office, Katsina State chapter, and flag off of the registration and accreditation process for applicants in the “Women Nurturing Birds for Wealth” empowerment program.
Waziri noted that the empowerment scheme would make women farmers financially independent and enhance their socio-economic wellbeing and standing.
He said, “We are happy that here in Katsina, we have been able to inaugurate the zonal, state and local government coordinators today under National Agricultural Mechanization Cooperative Society, NAMCS, programme for human-based wealth economy. We are here today to take another bold step towards history, towards unlocking the agricultural sector and to see how we can maximize the hidden potentials in the sector. This programme is strategically designed to take advantage of the opportunities that are available in the poultry business value chain, to create job opportunities for our women. You will agree with me that over 80 per cent of our women are still at home and not working, hence the essence of this program. For us at NAMCON, we created this system for women who can be at home while taking care of their families and also earn money to support the family, and that is the origin of women nurturing birds for wealth. It is basically to empower women.”
Furthermore, Waziri said the wealth empowerment programme would train 60, 000 women and youths across the country, with a target of producing 125 million birds per annum.
Also, he noted NAMCON’s plans to create agro extension service centres in 528 local government areas across 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The aim of the scheme is to provide direct jobs for 15 youths per local area as operators, technical staff and agro extension service staff.
“Consequently, we have prioritized five key intervention areas, including the Nigeria Mechanized Agro-Extension Service Scheme, Women Nurturing Birds for Wealth Empowerment Programme, Nigeria Agro Market Space, Strategic Skill Acquisition Program and Farmers House, a mass housing project for farmers in rural dwellings,” Waziri pointed out.
Agro Nigeria
