Rivers stakeholders defend agro-based youth training, criticize protests

2026-03-11 - 13:57

By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt Stakeholders in Rivers State have criticized recent protests by some beneficiaries of the Farm to Future project, a youth-focused initiative of the state government, over alleged unpaid allowances and fund mismanagement. The stakeholders described the demonstrations as an attempt to disrupt the project and undermine its objectives, emphasizing that the state urgently needs development across critical sectors. They urged the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners to be allowed to implement the program fully. Commentators noted that expectations of cash handouts in skills-based programs undermine long-term development goals, fostering dependency rather than empowerment. The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, who initiated the program, denied claims of fund diversion and called for calm and understanding. He assured participants that the empowerment phase of the project would proceed once administrative normalcy is restored in the state. Kii praised the beneficiaries for their discipline and urged them to focus on the program’s objectives rather than misrepresent its intent. He stressed that viewing the Farm to Future initiative solely as a source of cash benefits is counterproductive and hinders sustainable development. “The Farm to Future project is a strategic intervention to equip young people in Rivers with practical agricultural skills and to nurture a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs,” Kii said. “In the first phase, 500 beneficiaries received intensive agro-business training.” He explained that the program follows global best practices, emphasizing practical engagement over indiscriminate cash handouts. At the conclusion of the training in February, beneficiaries were encouraged to identify viable value chains and prepare structured business proposals for review by the Ministry and appointed consultants. Successful proposals are forwarded to the Bank of Agriculture, with guarantees provided by the Rivers State Government. Field inspections and evaluations are ongoing for participants who have begun practical activities. Kii noted that this approach discourages diversion of project funds and ensures long-term benefits through structured engagement. The program experienced temporary delays due to the dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council and renovations at the Rivers State Secretariat, but Kii reaffirmed that the project’s objectives and positive expectations remain intact. “The Farm to Future initiative continues to hold promise as a transformative platform for youth development and agricultural entrepreneurship in Rivers State,” he concluded.