APPEALS Coordinator Highlights 2019 Activities, Targets 60,000 Beneficiaries in Kaduna by 2023
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
The Agro-processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS), project coordinator on Sunday highlights its activities for 2019, targeting 60,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2023 in Kaduna State.
Kaduna State Coordinator of the project, Dr. Yahaya Aminu, while briefing journalists, said the World Bank support project in Nigeria, is aimed at benefiting 10,000 direct beneficiaries and 50,000 indirect beneficiaries through it’s value chain.
He said at the launch of the project, 3000 applicants were shortlisted and 1,700 were selected, with women taking 60% and men 35% while the other 5% given to people living with disabilities.
“Under the project, we aim at supporting 1,700 women and youth with disability. We advertised for expression of interest and screened and verified applications and interviewed 3,000 shortlisted under the scheme.
“We have selected 1,700 beneficiaries, including applicants who have selected at least 10 different value chains. 60 per cent are female, 35 per cent male and 5 per cent for people with disabilities and special needs. He added.
Dr. Yahaya, stated that already, 1,700 beneficiaries have been selected in Kaduna State and would soon be undergoing training, adding that “We also hope to reach 8,300 other farmers who would be supported with trainings and grants from the World Bank.
“We intend to reach those successful through phone calls and their names will be displayed on the website. We I tend to commence training in ten batches for the beneficiaries.”
He explained that the national coordinator office in collaboration with the Kaduna State office has selected and accredited eight training institutions for the training of the successful candidates.
“We intend to train the successful candidates in ten batches. Giving them technical skills in agriculture, business skills, after which the World Bank will provide grants of a maximum of $10,000 dollars to each to establish,” he said.
“It is to drive agro promotion policy of Federal Government and diversify economy, improve livelihood of citizens. In Kaduna State we are working with the government of the state to transform agricultural from subsistence to sustainable.
“The value chains we are focusing on in Kaduna are, maize to promote food security, dairy to promote livelihood and ginger to promote export.
“In Kaduna state we commenced implementation exactly one year ago to sensitize and create awareness among women, youth and other stakeholders”.
He therefore thank Kaduna State government for formulating policies that supports implementation of the project.
