Agric Institutes Introduce Peace Programme In Kaduna

Two Research Institutes in Zaria have introduced a new programme, “Agriculture for Peace”, aimed at empowering the youths with entrepreneurial skills.

The institutes are?Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria.

Speaking at the launch?of a training programme for selected youths from three local government areas of the state, the directors of the two institutes advised participants to be courageous.

Prof. Mohammed Falki and Prof. Jerome Gefu of IAR and NAPRI respectively, urged the youths to use the knowledge and take-off materials to promote mutual trust and understanding in the society.

?In his speech, the Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Joshua Ogunwale, said the essence of the programme was to improve the lot of the youths through agricultural practices.

Ogunwale, who is also the Head of Soil Science Department, IAR, said the programme was aimed at addressing the challenges of poverty.

“We believe we can use agriculture to promote peace. Each of the beneficiaries will go home with either a `she-goat’ or improved seeds after the programme.

?”Our expectation is that at the end of the year, each she-goat would have given birth and a beneficiary is expected to give out the kid?to his next-door-neighbour free of charge.”

Ogunwale added that those who would benefit from improved seeds would receive it?free to plant on?their farmlands.

“This method of giving out she-goat to your next-door-neighbour will lead to the?spread of wealth apart from promoting tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.’’

He said that the?beneficiaries were?expected to sign a bond, adding that the?pilot programme was under the U.S. Mission Alumni Network Grant Project.