Job Creation: FG targets 490,000 jobs within three years

…NDE launches ‘Smart Farmer App’ to enhance agribusiness

In furtherance of its the job creation drive, the Federal Government through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) recently announced that 490 000 new jobs in the agricultural value chain would be created by connecting the farmers directly to the investors, and processors along the value chain, which would address incidences of post harvest losses.
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who was represented by Clement Iloh, the Permanent Secretary stated this during the official launching of the NDE Smart Farmer Application recently.
He noted that this app is targeted at repositioning agriculture to attract more business and create job for the unemployed youths, adding that the scheme is geared towards getting more young Nigerians into agribusiness ventures, by using cutting edge technology to spearhead revolution in the agricultural sector through information and creating market access along various agricultural value chain.
He noted; “Within the next three years, the Smart Farmer Application will attract 490 000 new jobs in the agricultural value chain by connecting the farmers directly to the investors, and processors along the value chain, which would also address incidences of post harvest losses.
“I have directed the National Directorate of Employment to commence operations at the NDE Agric-Park located in Sabuwa in Katsina state, which we are confident that over 3000 new jobs will be generated in the first instance within the agricultural value chains when the park come on stream'”
In his remarks, the acting director general of NDE, Olakunle Obayan noted that smart Farmer Application runs on smart phones and provides agricultural intelligence and enables improvement in productivity in agribusiness value chain and rural technological development.
Obayan stressed that young graduates will be recruited and trained to serve as Smart Farmer Agents that will be on ground in every local government area of the country.
He pointed out that Jobs, market access, connections, synergies, accurate statistical, demographic information and vital agricultural information are key directives  the App is expected to provide for investors to search and source the information from the smart app.