No fewer than 1,020 youths and women in Abia State have commenced training in agriculture and related enterprises under the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta, LIFE-ND, project.
The beneficiaries are part of Batch Two of the project’s Additional Financing programme and are being trained to acquire practical skills that will enable them establish and manage sustainable agricultural businesses.
Speaking during the orientation programme in Umuahia, the Knowledge Management and Communication Coordinator of LIFE-ND, Dr. Jerus Uvieghara, said the initiative was designed to equip rural youths and women with agri-entrepreneurship skills for self-reliance and economic empowerment.
LIFE-ND is a Federal Government project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, with support from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Uvieghara said the programme focuses on seven major commodities, including cassava, rice, plantain, oil palm, cocoa, fisheries and poultry, with participating Niger Delta states selecting commodities based on their comparative advantages.
He explained that the project uses an incubation model, through which experienced agri-entrepreneurs provide beneficiaries with practical training, mentorship and hands-on experience.
According to him, beneficiaries will, after the orientation, be posted to the enterprises of selected trainers for apprenticeship and mentorship.
Uvieghara said the number of beneficiaries in the current batch increased from slightly above 600 in the first batch to 1,020 following additional financing approved in 2025.
He added that the expansion was aimed at extending the benefits of the programme to more people and contributing to efforts to reduce poverty through agriculture.
The Acting Project Coordinator of LIFE-ND in Abia State, Azubuike Azubuike, said the beneficiaries were selected from 10 local government areas and 100 communities across the state.
He explained that the training covers agricultural production, processing, marketing and related services, particularly in cassava, rice, poultry and fisheries.
Azubuike said the programme targets unemployed and underemployed persons aged 18 and above, including women and persons with disabilities.
He noted that the training would last between two and nine months, depending on the enterprise, after which beneficiaries would graduate and undergo monitoring before receiving final empowerment and support.
The Abia Agri-Business Promotion Officer, Godwin Chukwuekezie, said beneficiaries had signed Memoranda of Understanding with their incubators and LIFE-ND to clearly define their responsibilities throughout the training period.
He added that monitoring teams would regularly visit the training centres to ensure compliance, attendance and effective participation.
Meanwhile, the Administration and Logistics Officer, Wisdom Ukonu, said the beneficiaries had expressed enthusiasm over the opportunity, attributing the large turnout to the visibility and success stories of the LIFE-ND programme.
The organisers said the initiative is expected to strengthen agricultural entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and improve the livelihoods of young people and women across Abia State.
