One Year On: APPEALS Updates Public On Progress So Far
One year into Agro-processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) project, the handlers of the project over the weekend updated the public on progress so far.
The Coordinator of the Project, Dr. Yahaya Aminu, had told newsmen in Kaduna that APPEALS activities for 2019, targeting 60,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2023 in the State.
The Coordinator was smart to use the platform to thank Kaduna State government for formulating policies that supports implementation of the project in the state.
According to Aminu, the World Bank support project in Nigeria was aimed at benefiting 10,000 direct beneficiaries and 50,000 indirect beneficiaries through it’s value chain.
“At the launch of the project, 3, 000 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”, he said.
He continued, “we have selected 1,700 beneficiaries, including applicants who have selected at least 10 different value chains. 60 percent are female, 35 percent male and 5 percent for people with disabilities and special needs. He added.
“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.
“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”.