The management of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation Ibadan at the weekend said that no fewer than four thousand (4,000) people have been trained in different aspects of agriculture by the college in the last twelve years.
Executive Provost of the college, Dr. Elizabeth Augustus made this disclosure at the weekend while delivering her welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Vocational Training Programme organised by the college.
Augustus while welcoming the participants maintained that the vocational training programme was undertaken in partial fulfilment of national mandate of the college.
She advised participants to make wise use if the knowledge acquired during the training.
“It is with great honour and pleasure that I welcome you all to this year’s vocational training programme. This is an activity undertaken by this college in partial fulfilment of its national mandate which is:
“To produce well-trained Agricultural manpower and issue national diploma and Higher National Diploma certificates in our various programmes.
“To contribute very strongly and provide solutions to Nigeria’s Agricultural problems by providing excellent extension services to farmers.
“To offer short courses and training programmes targeted at boosting the competencies of Nigeria’s Agricultural personnel.
“The vocational training which has been an integral part of our college programmes for the past twelve years is solely aimed at the fulfilment of the third mandate as stated above and has made remarkable impact on the economic standing of the participants and the nation in general as more than four thousand (4,000) participants have been trained in different aspects of agriculture since the commencement of this vocational training.
“It is not an understatement, however that this programme has significantly improved the livelihoods of many Nigerians especially youths and retirees.
“The rate of unemployment in the country is alarming, it is a well-known fact that agriculture provides the greatest potentials for employment.
“This sector has been found to provide about 60 per cent employment and contributes about 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Nigeria
