The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has commenced the training of no fewer than 100 Akwa Ibom youths on modern agricultural techniques.

The training was anchored through the NDE’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS).

According to the Director-General of NDE, Nadir Ladan Argungu, the training will cover key areas like crop and livestock farming, among others.

Represented by the State’s Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Promise Ekah, Argungu noted that the global drop in crude oil prices has made it imperative to diversify the economy, as Nigeria could no longer depend on crude oil.

He further revealed that the training would span three months.

The DG also explained that the participants will undergo a month theoretical class on modern techniques of agriculture and two months of industrial attachment in reputable farms across the state.

He said, “In a bid to awaken the interest of the unemployed youths in agriculture to exploit the tremendous opportunities for employment and wealth creation in the sector and consequently stem the rural-urban drift of the youths, the NDE designed a special training programme for youths in agriculture.”

On his part, a director from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Dr. Uyiobong Uko urged the participants to see agriculture as a profitable venture.

Agriculture, he noted, was the solution to the country’s economic woes, as crude oil dependence in Nigeria was now out of fashion.