361 SONGHAI Graduates Receive N1m Take-Off Package Each
The Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people through agriculture, as 361 young agripreneurs graduated from the second batch of the Dikko Radda Agripreneurship Training and Empowerment Scheme-Songhai (DRATESS-Songhai).
At the graduation ceremony, the state government approved a ₦1 million take-off package for each graduate, aimed at helping the beneficiaries establish and develop agribusinesses within their local communities. The support is intended to provide the young entrepreneurs with initial capital as they begin turning the skills acquired during their training into viable businesses.
The graduation was described as more than the presentation of certificates, with emphasis placed on the practical knowledge, confidence and entrepreneurial skills gained by the beneficiaries. The programme provides training in several areas of agriculture and related businesses, including crop production, livestock, fisheries, agro-processing, renewable energy, waste recycling and general agribusiness management.
The initiative promotes the idea that agriculture should be viewed not only as a means of producing food but also as a business, profession and investment opportunity capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic development.
The state government encouraged the graduates to use their training and start-up support to establish sustainable enterprises rather than relying solely on government employment. The aim is for the beneficiaries to build businesses that can expand, create employment and provide economic opportunities for other members of their communities.
As part of efforts to expand the programme, the Makera Songhai Comprehensive Agricultural Training Centre in Dutsinma is also being expanded to accommodate as many as 1,000 trainees at a time. The expansion is expected to increase the number of young people who can benefit from practical agricultural and entrepreneurial training.
The government also plans to strengthen connections between young agribusiness owners and financial institutions, investors, markets and development programmes, giving beneficiaries greater access to resources and opportunities needed to grow their businesses.
The initiative is ultimately aimed at transforming agriculture from primarily small-scale production into a stronger commercial sector by encouraging young people to develop farms into businesses, businesses into industries and industries into sources of employment and economic opportunity.
The graduates were congratulated on completing the programme and encouraged to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills to build sustainable livelihoods for themselves, their families and their communities in Katsina State.
