Delta State launches agribusiness training for 1,000 youths

The Delta State Government has launched a youth agribusiness training programme designed to equip 1,000 young people with the skills and tools necessary to build profitable agricultural enterprises. The initiative aims to diversify the state's economy away from oil dependency and position agriculture as a primary driver of inclusive economic growth and food security.

During the opening of the Wealth Creation Training Programme in Ughelli, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources Val Arenyeka emphasized that farming should be treated as a lucrative business rather than a subsistence activity. The program focuses on moving participants toward becoming self-reliant entrepreneurs and employers of labor.

The state's strategic investment will initially target four major agricultural value chains: cocoa, coffee, cotton, and ginger. The administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori intends for the program to stimulate local production, attract private investment, and increase Delta State’s contribution to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.