The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has launched the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES) for 700 jobless trained young and the Rural Employment Promotion (REP) in Taraba.

During the Jalingo ceremony, Alhaji Danjuma Shehu, the Directorate’s Taraba State Coordinator, mentioned that President Bola Tinubu’s concept was the intentional efforts of the Federal Government to ensure a decrease in the percentage of young unemployment.

The coordinator explained that the goal of the program was to provide job opportunities for young people without a job who had received training in fields like production, processing, storage, handling, and preservation of agricultural products after harvest, management, packaging for the agricultural value chain, marketing, agricultural extension, rural sociology, and off-farm activities.

“Today, we are here to launch the 2024 Agricultural Enhancement Scheme (AES) officially, which will provide amenities to seven hundred (700) beneficiaries. Under this program, graduates of various REP Training Schemes will be given access to facilities in the Fourteen (14) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to help them launch or expand their off-farm agribusinesses in their preferred fields of interest. This will allow them to become self-employed, build wealth, and create jobs for others.”

“I want the recipients to remember that this is a unique chance that shouldn’t be missed. In order to meet the problems of your local surroundings, you have first received training in contemporary agricultural operations, including off-farm activities and life skills. Second, because NDE placed a high value on the initiative because of its multiplier effect for increased job creation, the coordinator stated. You are expected to utilize the facility and put in your best effort to succeed as an agric entrepreneurs. The facility you are receiving today provides the necessary opportunity for entrepreneurship.”

Alhaji Shehu stated at the Rural Employment Promotion (REP) program orientation ceremony for 48 trained unemployed youth that the program’s goal was to improve income and create jobs in rural areas by partnering with agribusinesses, among other means. This would help to stop the rural-urban drift, boost rural community income, reduce poverty, and create mass employment.

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He said that the program is intended for recently graduated NDE trainees, Post Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (POST-SADTS) participants, and other young people with an interest in agriculture. The 48 recipients would get N50,000 loans to help launch their agribusinesses.

“There is a six-month moratorium on the loan, and it must be paid back within two years. To verify the training, employees from the state and headquarters will be visiting the training facilities. Shehu clarified.”