AFAN To Train Corps Members On Agric Value Chain

The All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has proposed a strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) aimed at equipping Corps Members with practical skills across the agricultural value chain, including aquaculture, irrigation farming, crop production, feed farming and animal production.

The proposal was presented by AFAN’s Deputy National President 1, Chief Daniel Okafor, during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.

Okafor said the partnership would “facilitate the training of Corps Members on aquaculture, irrigation farming, crop production, feed farming, and animal production among others,” stressing that the initiative would harness the potential of young graduates to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

According to him, AFAN was established “to ensure sustainable agricultural practice and boost economic growth, including adequate food supply in the country.” He noted that engaging Corps Members in agriculture would not only empower them with entrepreneurial skills but also contribute significantly to national food sufficiency.

Okafor explained that Corps Members, as educated youths, possess the intellectual capacity to drive innovation within the sector if properly trained. “Corps Members, as graduates, could be trained in the agricultural value chain, and would be of great help in improving food sufficiency in the country,” he said.

He further asserted that agriculture remains a strategic sector for economic development, describing it as “the only sector of the economy that could generate employment and also yield good profit within a short period of time because of its vast value chain.”

Responding, NYSC director-general, Brigadier General Nafiu, welcomed the proposal and acknowledged the growing importance of modern agricultural practices. He observed that farming “was evolving on daily basis,” while describing farmers as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian economy.

Nafiu emphasised the need to attract more young people into agriculture, stating that “there was the urgent need to produce young farmers because of the advantages of farming to the people.”

While identifying insecurity, land ownership issues and climatic factors as major challenges confronting farmers, he maintained that modern techniques could help mitigate some of these constraints and improve productivity.

The DG also highlighted the human resource potential within the NYSC scheme, noting that the organisation “was blessed with graduates, who specialized in veterinary medicine, soil science, animal production, crop production and other agricultural-related courses.”

He assured AFAN that NYSC management would carefully review the proposal, adding that the scheme would “study the training proposal and ensure its smooth implementation.”