In a bid to assist youths obtain basic knowledge in Agricbusiness and boost food production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, will next month commence free training for them.
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.
The Director of the Centre, Dr Philips Nto announced this in a statement in Umuahia, saying the take off of the training was 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 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 will provide first class capacity building and training as an innovation hub in strategic areas of Agricbusines 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 sweets potato.
The Director was optimistic 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.
Dr Nto disclosed that after the free training for individuals, the Centre will expand its scope and take in trainees from government and corporate organisations.
He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof Iwe for releasing the take off grant for the centre and his unqualified assistance to ensure that it succeeds in its core mandate.