BENIN CITY – The Edo Office of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD ) yesterday inaugurated youth in agriculture foundation under the auspices of the community Based Natural Resources Management Programme-Niger Delta  (CBNRMP-ND  )
The state programme officer,  Paul Aikhuomobhogbe said during the inauguration in Benin City that  the foundation would serve as a platform for the training of youths in agro-enterprises.
Aikhuomobhgbe explained that the foundation would also serve as a network where youths in agripreneurs and market oriented agricultural producer developed by CBNRMP-ND can share knowledge.
“The foundation would also leverage resources from the IFAD assisted Creating Opportunity for Rural Youth (CORY) Project,” he said.
According to him, the project is a new initiative that would support young rural men and women in west and central Africa to become entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the inauguration of the foundation, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abdul Oroh, said the introduction of the foundation was necessary and vital to facilitate food and nutrition security.
Oroh stated that the foundation would provide a productive alternatives for the engagement of youth to reduce crime and other social problems.
The commissioner urged the youths to explore the opportunities that would be created by the platform.
The  IFAD/FGN /NDDC Community Based Natural Resource Management Programme -Niger Delta is a poverty alleviation programme designed by the federal government to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the rural poor.
Nine local government areas  were currently benefiting from the programme in Edo.
The local government include, Esan  North East, Uhunmwode, Orhionmwon,  Igueben, Esan  South East,  Esan West, Akoko- Edo, Owan West and Etsako Central.