VC’s wife inaugurates agric. impact project to create jobs


Dr Eyiwumi Olayinka, wife of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, has inaugurated an agriculture project titled ‘Ag Impact’ to create jobs for women and youths.

Olayinka, who is also the President, University of Ibadan Women’s Society, made this known on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

She said the project’s vision was to eradicate poverty by empowering women and youths through sustainable agricultural projects.

Olayinka emphasised that women would be introduced to simple cutting edge technologies by working with experts with relevant skills nationally and internationally.

``We hope to explore value addition chain by keying into best practices that have been proven to have the capacity to eradicate crop glut in the production and processing of agricultural crops.

``We hope to apply simple technologies that bring improvement in economic activities of women farmers and youths, `` she said.

The vice-chancellor`s wife said to achieve the goal, proposals would be written to national and international donors to adequately cater for the resources required for the project.

``We started the project now to restructure UI Women’s society to make its impact more palpable within and outside the UI community.

``We wish to be part of reducing the rate of unemployment which rose to 9.90 per cent in the third quarter of 2015.

``At take off, the initiative will focus on production, processing of cassava, maize, tomatoes, plantain and planting of economically-viable trees to reduce effect of climate change.

``We will also partner individuals and organisations with relevant skills, knowledge and network, `` she said.

According to Olayinka, agriculture constituted 23 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is the main source of income and employment for 70 per cent of the world.

``Therefore, it should not be toiled with, all hands should be on deck to see what we can do for the country to achieve its set goal through agriculture, `` she said.



Comments

  1. UnknownJune 6, 2016 at 1:44 PM

    Creative initiative, Madam. Pls keep it up. You have all the background knowledge in agriculture to make you succeed. Good wishes.

    ReplyDelete

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