Report On Gov Seyi Makinde’s Agro-Business Training Sponsorship To ISAC @ CSS FARMS, Nasarawa -By Abdulsalam Mubarak Adio

I promise to fight back this silent sweet tears, for I am emotional as I write this.

It was indeed a rare and ringing privilege for me to have been selected as one of the 300 (Batch 9) youths across Oyo State, who his Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde had bestowed aid upon for the Agro-Business Training Programme in Nassarawa State.

Not soon have I thought I would embark on a journey with police escort blowing siren behind me, Governor Makinde effectuated my longtime dream into reality; as myself and other youths traveled our way to Nassarawa state with police escort behind us – a pleasurable moment that would linger for long.

CSS Farms, Nassarawa was not just a purlieu for us, but a home away from home. The gigantic structures and machineries were serene sight to behold. The over 1,200 hectres terra firma left my mouth widely-opened. And most especially, the professionals who walked us through the Agro-Business courses were attestation to the fact that Governor Seyi Makinde does his things to the best. He, indeed, took us to the best of Farms in Nigeria.

Who would have thought that adults like us could be treated like babies? Yes, babies. Babies that were addressed kindly, guided softly and treated with tender care that even our towels were washed every two days. Need it be I add, we were treated to delectable delicacies, that someone among us jokingly said, “we should just continue living here”. Lol.

5:30am was the time for our daily wake, after when we would head to worship grounds – Muslims and Christians of us symmetrically. 6:30 to 7:00am for morning exercise and drilling, after all, only a sane and active mind can have a productive farm session. 7:30 to 8:00am was assigned for cleaning and bathing. While 8:30 to 9:30 was for introductory class; where activities for the whole day would be made known to us; after when some would head to farm and some would sit for theoretical class, while we exchange the sessions in the evening. Our two (2) weeks at Nassarawa, in the journey to being outstanding Farmers, went this way.

Worth it that I add, all the units head were “Israel-trained”, and they are professionals that made every classes sink in our heads. From the CSS chairman himself, Prof John Kennedy (Man Of God), who took us the very first class to other professionals, one could easily tell they have all got dab-hands at farming. A successful farmer like Prof JK is one every participants had their aspiration on, as one could easily tell he has made big fortune off Farming. Or who would aspire otherwise, when a man’s farm possesses:

– Oven (heater) which cost #11.5 million, 5 of its kind.

– Green House for Vegetable plantation, which costs #35miilion each and 20 of its kind and many mammoth machines.

Reputable lecturers and professors were also invited to take us through some courses of farming.

Prof John Musa from Funaab walked us through the course of irrigation, likewise, Engr. Emmanuel Opara who would later assert that: No water, no farm, no food, no life. Denoting that when there’s no water, there’s no farming, when there’s no farming there’s no food and when there’s no food, there’s no life. Without stretch of exaggeration, I nearly forgot my birthday which fell in between the days of the training. Given that I was much carried away with the amazing activities and machines my eyes were met with.

Worthy to add that we had series of Trainings that centred on Agricultural Value Chain; where the concept of transformation chains for Agricultural Products were made known. The cassava value chain for instance: we were told the direct sales of cassava is wrong and myopic; as it could be transformed through the Value Chain to Garri, Cassava Chips, Cassava Flour, Starch, Ethanol among others.

The complementary trainings were on:

– Crops: Cassava, Maize, Rice, Melon.

– Fishery: where crossing eggs of male and female fish to gain hundred of fish were taught

– Poultry: production, health, egg and manure

– Vegetables: production in Greenhouse and Hydroponics.

– Ruminants: cattle, sheep and goat.

– Mechanization: The practical use and maintenance of Tractors, Irrigators, Rice planters and other mammoth machines were not left untouched

– Digital Agriculture: this allowed us to leverage on the digital aspect of Agriculture like Branding, Networking, Maketing. Wherein we were given an iPad of high quality each.

Also, packaging, branding, nylon, logo, records keeping, profits were part of the training.

This, unarguably, is the first if its kind in Oyo State, where youths were assembled for a productive Agricultural training like this. For the 300 youths assembled for each batch. We were of the batch 9, which took the count to 2,700 out of potential 10,000 Oyo indigenes. Aside the iPad we benefitted of, we were given #10K each as participation allowance with an additional promise of a start up capital of big 6 digits. After when we would be given access to loans.

This was my 2 weeks experience at the just concluded (Batch 9) Agro-Business Training Programme, sponsored by the people’s Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde. That he would never wane remains my prayer and that of other beneficiaries. For his initiatives are laudable, and insights unrivaled. I pray he continue to sail through the rigours of leadership. 2023, by God’s grace, remains unnegotiable.

In coming years, no doubt we’d have millionaires among us who would have implemented this training, we hope to repay Gov Makinde in manifolds – for whether he request this or not, he’s worth being appreciated beyond thoughts. May we be pride to ourselves, our family, Nigeria and His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde.

Abdulsalam Mubarak Adio is the Oluyole Team-Leader of the beneficiaries of the (Batch 9) Agro Business Programme sponsored by Governor Seyi Makinde.

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