Expert Wants Agro Business Centres In Rivers

An expert in Agro-Business in Rivers State, Prince Amezhinim Atuma has called on the state government to establish a multi-purpose agricultural business centre that would serve as a processing and training centre to improve skills and food production in the state.
Atuma, an Agricultural Science lecturer and consultant made the call Monday in his address at a workshop organised by Agro-Business, Wealth Creation Development And Entrepreneurship Centre (ABWCDE) in Port Harcourt.
Atuma, the Managing Director of the centre said such centre would enhance training and capacity building for farmers and entrepreneurs, if established.
He said the centre would also serve as a centre for consultancy to all kinds of agricultural establishments and as well serve as training centre for young people to participate fully in agricultural business to reduce unemployment in the state.
Atuma, said the multi-purpose agricultural centre would boost human capital development, if established.
He said the years of neglect of agriculture by government especially in the Niger Delta region gave room to youth restiveness, stressing that the youths in the region were engaged in criminal activities because they were at the teenage age introduced to wealth creation through free flow of oil money without labour.
In his speech, the guest lecturer at the workshop, Hon. Paul Igwe expressed the need for state governments in the region to direct their policies to agricultural development.
According to him, the rate of unemployment would continue to rise if adequate attention is not given to agricultural programme, in the region.
He said, time would come when the region would be importing food at rates higher than cost of oil and gas in the region, if proper consideration is not given.

Enoch Epelle