As a way of encouraging Anambra youths to seek solutions in agriculture and adopt Soludo’s model on “Farm to Feed initiative” towards achieving self-sufficiency, the Youths Earnestly Support Soludo YESS, on Sunday held the second edition of it’s youth empowerment symposium.
The event, which featured round table discussions, mentorship session, and networking, among other activities, was held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka, with special emphasis on mushroom cultivation.
Speaking at the event, Convener of YESS, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on youth empowerment programmes Dr Nelson Omenugha expressed that the symposium was organised to serve as a platform for valuable ideas sharing and knowledge enhancement towards more impactful and purposeful living.
Reiterating the imperative of regular youth engagement and empowerment as the engine of development of every society, he noted that YESS is passionate about raising youths that are fully invested in agriculture for sustainabe growth and development of Anambra State.
Dr Omenugha while pointing out the recent operation “Farm to Feed initiative” by the Governor, called on the youths to imbibe the new trend of mushroom cultivation, processing and production as one factor that will boost thier self reliance and contribute to the country’s economic sustainability.
He, therefore, made a clarion call to progressive Anambra youths to key into the YESS movement and be part of the solution team.
Commissioner for Youth and Empowerment, Hon Patrick Agha Mba, in his speech, said the partnership with YESS will target fresh graduates who will be given orientation on the mindset of opportunities available after school. “So this initiative is for Anambra Youths, and we commend Mr Governor for providing the enabling environments where our youths can learn and become engaged with various activities that willcewuip them for the future.
He urged the youths to appreciate themselves and the leadership of the Soludo administration while pointing out that the best appreciation is the one you do for yourself.
Contributing House of Assembly representing Idemili South Constituency, Hon Barrister Ebuka Igwe, noted that the event is the right step in the right direction. “What the YESS is doing now is in affirmation of what Governor Soludo stands for, Anambra State Government is intentional about agriculture considering the economic situation in the country it is advisable you encourage the youths to go into farming”.
Recently, the governor flagged off the “Operation Farm to Feed” initiative in the state, and we use the opportunity to call on Anambra youths to engage actively in agriculturale for sustainability.
Dr Comfort Nwagbo, from the Department of Food Science and Technology from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, said the experiences learnt in China on a two weeks training was on the cultivation of mushroom and its health benefits using juncao technology.
“We learnt cultivation of different mushroom species, how it can be utilised, using it to solve health problems and diseases.
Highlighting the benefits of mushroom, Dr Comfort disclosed that mushrooms helps increase immunity system, reproductive system, reduces sugar, diabetes, can be proceed as flour which can be used as semo or swallow and can be used as meat alternative in cooking soup, wines and supplement productions.
Associate Professor, Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu University, Mrs Uju Muogbo, said the Anambra Youths will be provided with slides of teaching materials and practical aspects of cultivationg the edible mushroom fungi in modern ways apart from the the old methods we know about.
She futher stated that apart from other health benefits, everybody has to key into agriculture which we all need as a nation for food sufficiency citing the common China family as farmers in different cash crops, especially mushrooms, tomatoes spices.
“In China, we learnt techniques and modern ways technology that will enhance mass production of edible fungi (mushroom). She emphasised that the benefits of the mushroom as increased financial output, the giant mushroom control erectal dysfunction, cures cancer cells, gives energy, helps function body cells in older people as well as boost immune system.
Some of the dignitaries present were the Transition Chairman, Awka North, Hon ThankGod Anagor, Chairman, Anambra Albinism Association, Mr Ben Orizu, Dr Henry Duru of the Department of Mass Communication, UNIZIK, while some of the groups present were delegates from Adorable Foundation International, (AFI) Anambra State Chapter, YESS delegates from the 21 local government areas, students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Federal Polytechnic Oko, among other youths.
Special attraction was the distribution of one hundred palm seedlings to interested youths.
