The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has promised to give maximum support to agricultural entrepreneurs so as to enhance economic development and reduce unemployment in the country.
The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Wale Fasanya, said this at the inauguration of National `Agri-prenure’ Training Scheme-Post on Friday in Uyo.
Fasanya, represented by Ms Lucy Ekpenyong, the State Manager of SMEDAN in Akwa Ibom, said that the visit to Akwa Ibom became necessary to ascertain the training outcome and impact assessment on the Agribusiness Development and Empowerment Programme (ADEP).
He said the feedback gathered from the visit would help the agency to plan and further support the scheme to enhance development.
The D-G assured that the agency would continue to support the `Agri-prenures’ across the country with different juicy schemes including One Local Government, One Product, Women Self-employment among others.
“The post training is a follow up on the Agribusiness Development and Empowerment Programme held in October 2021.
“It is to visit trained entrepreneurs in their places of operation in order to get firsthand information on how they conduct their businesses and true status of their businesses.
“It is to identify challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the course of their businesses and offer advisory services,” he said.
The director-general commended President Mohammedu Buhari for his passionate commitment in combating unemployment through the development of agriculture and its value chain.
One of the benefitting cooperative societies, Amazing Women Multipurpose Cooperative, represented by Mrs Mary Bassey, said that the grants and training from the federal government had helped to embark on melon cultivation and palm oil production.
Bassey applauded SMEDAN and federal government and appealed for a links to market their products outside the state.
Another cooperative, Nation Feeders Cooperative, represented by Mr Bassey
Etim, also thanked the federal government for its support in their fish drying business.
Etim, however, complained of incessant attacks by sea pirates while on their legitimate businesses of fishing.
