The Community Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria (COMAFAS) has initiated a training program aimed at educating 150 youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Bauchi State in the fields of fishery and poultry. This program is made possible through a grant of $77,942 provided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as part of its youth employment strategy in the agriculture and food sector within the region.
During the launch of the training program at Kwa'ada Farms in Karshi, Abuja, Dr. Austine Maduka, the Founder and President of COMAFAS, emphasized that the training's objective is to equip young farmers with the knowledge and skills required to establish and sustain poultry and fishery production from its initial stages. COMAFAS, a community-based agricultural organization managed by Nigerians, is dedicated to mobilizing women, youth, and aspiring farmers who lack experience in agricultural entrepreneurship.
Dr. Maduka highlighted the importance of the ECOWAS grant, which will enable 150 youths to receive training in poultry and fishery farming in FCT and Bauchi State, with a goal of achieving 30% female participation. He expressed confidence that this initiative would create opportunities for new entrepreneurs to benefit from ECOWAS grants and professional training, ultimately leading to gainful and self-sustaining employment.
Dr. Maduka also emphasized COMAFAS' collaboration with the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development of the ECOWAS Commission, which aims to enhance the availability of meat and diverse food products while imparting relevant skills for poverty reduction among FCT residents.
Furthermore, Dr. Maduka outlined their efforts to establish a robust poultry trade exchange in Nigeria, facilitating online interactions between farmers and off-takers, thereby enhancing market transparency and efficiency.
Representing the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Fatmata Lucia, Mrs. Massandje Toure-Litse, stated that COMAFAS is launching the training program to align with the ECOWAS regional strategy for promoting youth employability in the agriculture and food sector. The ECOWAS Commission had allocated funds to 25 centers across the 15 ECOWAS countries, including COMAFAS, as part of the youth employment strategy, aiming to enhance the capacity of youth to engage in agriculture and food value chains.
One program beneficiary, John Elizabeth, shared her experience, highlighting that she received 50 birds and three bags of feed to kickstart her poultry business. Elizabeth expressed gratitude for the training she received, which included feeding strategies, illness symptoms in birds, and vaccination procedures.
