By Steve Oko, Umuahia

In a bid to reduce youth unemployment, and boost food production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has announced plans to  commence free training on agric business for youths. 

The free training which has been approved by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe is to be executed by the institution’s Agricbusiness Incubation Centre. 

 Director of the Centre, Dr Philips Nto who announced this in a statement in Umuahia, said the take off of the training “is part of the activities marking  the third anniversary of the Vice Chancellor.”

Dr Nto noted that the Incubation Centre which was established under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, offers wide range of services to the Abia community all in a move to ensure food security.

He said the centre would provide first class  capacity building  and training as an innovation hub in strategic areas of Agricbusiness enterprises. 

According to him, the training will involve inducting the youths in the production of conventional confectionary from wheat and from indigenous root/ tuber crops. 

He said they would also be trained on the production of chips, high quality flours and fufu flours, starches and drinks from turmeric and sweet potatoes.

The former Commissioner for Finance, Abia State, expressed optimism that after the training, the beneficiaries would also be proficient in the production of drinks, juices,local beers, dried fruits and jam.

Dr Nto urged youths from Abia and other neighbouring states to take advantage of the free training so as to be self sufficient in food production.

He disclosed that after the free training for individuals,  the Centre would expand its scope and  take in trainees from government and corporate organisations.

The former Rector, Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu,  commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Iwe for releasing the take off grant for the centre and his unquantified assistance to ensure that it succeeds in its core mandate.