The Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Abdul Jimoh Muhammed, has announced plans to sponsor students with viable business proposals by providing soft loans to help them launch their own agricultural ventures.
The initiative aims to promote agricultural entrepreneurship among students.
Engr. Abdul disclosed this while speaking at the presentation of certificates to participants who completed a month-long training programme of the Women in Agricultural Technical Education and Apprenticeship (WATEA) apprenticeship and internship training sponsored by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan.
The Rector emphasized the vast opportunities available in various sectors of agriculture, including smart agriculture, fisheries, agribusiness among others, stressing that the world today is increasingly reliant on innovative agricultural practices to ensure food security and economic growth.
Engr. Abdul who disclosed that with the right guidance and financial support, students can pave way for successful ventures that would not only benefit themselves but also contribute positively to the agricultural landscape of the state, urged participants to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the training to excel in their future endeavors.
He therefore commended the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan for sponsoring the training, noting that their continuous support and investment in agricultural education is essential for empowering Nigerian women and youths.
Also speaking, Dr. Monica Ododo and Mr. Shuaib Obalowu, who trained the students on smart agriculture and poultry respectively, emphasized the importance of creativity and innovation in achieving success in the various agricultural fields.
According to them, the agricultural landscape is constantly evolving, stressing that by being adaptable and innovative, they can make significant contributions to the industry, their immediate communities and the state at large.
In his remarks, the representative of IITA, Mr. Emmanuel Onasanya commended the participants for their dedication and perseverance, noting that the initiative is aimed at empowering students to become self-reliant entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.
Emmanuel also encouraged participants to put what they have learnt into practice, noting that the IITA will pay an assessment visit to them at their door step as part of the last aspect of their training.
The training programme, sponsored by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, focused on equipping participants with essential skills in three key areas: smart agriculture, poultry farming, and fisheries.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
Comments are closed.