ECOWAS Grants: COMAFAS commences youths training on poultry, fish

  

The Commodity Allied Farmers Association of Nigeria ( COMAFAS) a grassroot non governmental organization has on Tuesday officially commenced the training of 150 youths in fishery and poultry farming with the grant of $77, 942 given by the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS).

The event which took place at Kwa'da farms along Karu express way in Abuja was made possible by the grant of $ 77,942 given by  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to COMAFAS to ensure the training towards increasing low meat and fish productivity in the country.

Speaking on the youths' empowerment training, the National president of COMAFAS Dr. Austin Maduka commended the ECOWAS's initiative and strategy towards the capacity building of youths in the food value chain systems through the grants partnership with his association.

Maduka said that  the youths training would strengthen and enhance meat and fish availability in Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) and Bauchi state where a total of 150 youths in ratio of 75 by 75 with 30% women shall be trained towards enhancing young experts in food productivity matters.

Speaking at the event, President of ECOWAS, Dr. Omar Touray and Commissioner, the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mme. Massandje Toure-Litse ably represented  by Mrs. Fatama Seiwoh Lucia said that COMAFAS in partnership with ECOWAS would commence training of 150 youths in poultry and fishery as part of the ECOWAS regional strategy for youth employability in the agricultural and food sector.

Lucia pointed that ECOWAS in early 2023 released funds to 25 centers of member countries through grants for youths development adding that COMAFAS was one of the beneficiaries.

She pointed out that the $77,942 grant is to enhance the capacity of youths in the agricultural value chain, and food system training modus for 30% women and 70% men.

Speaking with journalists, John Elizabeth one of the beneficiaries of the program disclosed that the initiative would help to reposition youths that have long sought for support to start up their individual businesses, adding that ECOWAS and COMAFAS through this program will give more youths the opportunity to learn and takeover from the older people in Agriculture.

Elizabeth stressed the need for youths to work towards the sustainability of the program as it is expected that they take serious every information passed unto them during the training.