ibironkeeniola 
No fewer than 10,000 women, youths and People Living with Disability (PLWDs) in Kaduna State would benefit from an agricultural investment grant from the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvements Support (APPEALS) Project.
State Coordinator of APPEALS, Dr. Yahaya Aminu, who made the disclosure during a press conference, said that 1,700 women have already been selected as direct beneficiaries.
Aminu explained that the goal of the project is to encourage the participating groups to become active players in the agricultural industry.
He said, “The project targets 10,000 direct beneficiaries and 50,000 indirect beneficiaries in Kaduna State.
“At least 35 percent, around 3,500 of direct beneficiaries will be women and at least 5-10 percent, about 500-1000 will be PLWDs.
“The project has a component to benefit women and youths that will allow them to develop agribusiness that is expected to create jobs and improve their livelihood.” He added.
Aminu also explained that the project seeks to cover all processes in the agricultural value chain from planting to harvest and storage.
APPEALS is a collaboration project between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the World Bank.
With over 20 million U.S. dollars from the World Bank, the project is expected to expand to the other five states: Kano, Lagos, Cross River, Kogi, and Enugu.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA