We have trained 25,000 youths, 15,000 farmers — Leventis Foundation
Give us a background of what you do at the Foundation.
The Leventis Foundation (Nigeria) is a charitable company dedicated to training of farmers in modern and sustainable agricultural practices and rational use of natural resources.
The Foundation has been running agricultural training for youths and farmers since 1988 and currently has six schools in different agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The schools located in the FCT, Osun, Ondo, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe states are co-financed by Leventis Foundation and the respective State Governments. All the Schools offer training to young people (male and female) desirous of making a career in farming. The comprehensive oneyear training exposes the participants to several areas of agriculture and other farm businesses. Leventis Foundation Nigeria has been at the forefront of agricultural training for the youths intending to generate billions through farming and farmers for over two decades. In this interview with the chairman Ahmed Mantey for the Daily Trust special edition on agriculture, he speaks on many issues regarding the training programme. Excerpts:
The objective of the training, which is ‘free of all costs’ to the trainee, is to create in Nigeria, generations of committed young practical farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs who will act as catalysts for agricultural revolution in their communities. The training program is targeted majorly at the unemployed with little or no knowledge of the practical aspect of agriculture as a form of job creation for interested participants to become
a captive power cogeneration facility able to generate 1MW of electricity from rice husk to augment power requirements at the plant.
This is to ensure efficient utilization of all by-products of rice milling and ensure sustainable, environment-friendly operations at the plant.
Treated water released from the plant will be safe for re-use in irrigation of farms as well as for other agricultural purposes.
As one of the largest Agribusiness operators in Nigeria, WACOT Rice supports Nigeria’s objective of food selfsufficiency with significant investments in seed multiplication, outgrower farming, improved farming practices through its Yield Enhancement Techniques (YET) program, food processing and distribution.
It is expected that a large portion of the rice cultivated in Kebbi State will be processed within the state once the WACOT Rice Mill starts its full operations. In addition to producing premium quality rice comparable to any rice brand in the world. It is estimated that the mill will provide direct and indirect employment for about 3,500 people and over 55,000 farmers will have a ready market for their paddy.
Analysts estimate that WACOT’s efforts will save the country’s foreign exchange up to N12 billion annually.
The company continues to enjoy the encouragement and support of the government at all levels as well as the local population in its effort to enhance and stabilize food production in the country.