Kaduna State Coordinator of Agro-processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project, Dr. Yahaya Aminu
Said they are targeting about 360,000 beneficiaries at the termination in September 2023.
Dr. Aminu made it known while interacting with Journalists in Kaduna at the State Coordinating office.
According to him, the interactive session was to Inform the general public on progresses made in 2019 and to outline key strategies for 2020 and beyond.
His words, “10,000 direct beneficiaries are to emerge from Kaduna as well as the five other participating states, while 50,000 indirect beneficiaries are also to emerge from each of the states.
“360,000 will emerge all together in all the APPEALS states, for the direct and indirect beneficiaries”.
He explained that already,1,700 beneficiaries have been selected in Kaduna State and would soon be undergoing training.
“We also hope to reach 8,300 other farmers who would be supported with trainings and support with grants from World Bank,” he added.
He said that they mobilised over 25,090 farmers that have registered and indicated interest, belonging to 2,000 cooperatives and farmer cooperatives.
“Another important aspect of the project is the women and youth empowerment scheme targeting youth between 18 to 40 years, women and those with disability.
“Under the project, we aim at supporting 1,700 women and youth with disability. We advertised for expression of interest and screened and verified applications and interviewed 3,000 shortlisted under the scheme.
“We have selected 1,700 beneficiaries, including applicants who have selected at least 10 different value chains.
“60 per cent are female, 35 per cent male and 5 per cent for people with disabilities and special needs.
“We intend to reach those successful through phone calls and their names will be displayed on the website. We I tend to commence training in ten batches for the beneficiaries,” he informed.
He explained that the national coordinator office in collaboration with the Kaduna State office has selected and accredited 8 training institutions for the training of the successful candidates.
“We intend to train the successful candidates in ten batches. Giving them technical skills in agriculture, business skills, after which the World Bank will provide grants of a maximum of $10,000 dollars to each to establish,” he said.
“APPEALS is a World Bank supported project being implemented with FG and six states; Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Lagos, Enugu and Cross River.
“It is to drive agro promotion policy of Federal Government and diversify economy, improve livelihood of citizens.
“In Kaduna State we are working with the government of the state to transform agricultural from subsistence to sustainable.
“The value chains we are focusing on in Kaduna are, maize to promote food security, dairy to promote livelihood and ginger to promote export.
“In Kaduna state we commenced implementation exactly one year ago to sensitize and create awareness among women, youth and other stakeholders,” he informed.
He used the opportunity to thank the government of Kaduna State.
“I also want to use the opportunity to thank His Excellency, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai for the support,”
He said, the project terminates September 2023