Kwara youth farmers receive AGRA award

The award held recently at Lapalm Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, was aimed at showcasing Africa’s efforts especially that of the youth in promoting agriculture as well as galvanizing increased participation in Africa.Secretary of the farmers’ association, Mr. Kehinde Osasona received the award on behalf of the youth farmers. They comprise pioneer graduands of Malete Youth […]

The award held recently at Lapalm Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, was aimed at showcasing Africa’s efforts especially that of the youth in promoting agriculture as well as galvanizing increased participation in Africa.
Secretary of the farmers’ association, Mr. Kehinde Osasona received the award on behalf of the youth farmers. They comprise pioneer graduands of Malete Youth Integrated Farming Institute established during the administration of Governor Bukola Saraki of the state.
A total 25 countries including Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Mali, Sierra Leone, among others were nominated for the award in five categories namely; Income Diversity Award, Youth and Female participation award, Advocacy, governance and Market Access awards while Kwara Youth Farmers representing Nigeria emerged second runner-up in Youth and Female category.
Osasona told Daily Trust that after applying to join the competition, he made presentation backed by documents portraying the vision of Kwara State government in setting up the Malete Farm Institute which qualified him for the award.
“The award implies that they rewarded continuity; perseverance and youth farmers’ ability to go places despite recurring climatic challenges, inability to mobilize sufficient funds to keep on practicing as farmers.
“Despite all these hiccups, we still remain in business and practice. But of course the financial challenges are very big issues we are contending with. We are hoping that grant-giving organizations, we are not talking of loans now, grant-giving organizations would find time to say, ‘okey, we want to empower youth farmers’.