The minister said IITA was ready to train over six million youths in agriculture using the ministry’s existing database of those interested in agribusiness.
Mr Wike said the initiative was a decisive step by the federal government to promote food self-sufficiency.
He called on leaders to prioritise food security as a way of alleviating the suffering of Africans.
“This is a huge burden and calls for deliberate efforts to address,” he said.
“This is the future of Nigeria. It is a great example where people are being trained in high-tech agriculture.”
Mr Akande said that the training would ensure the profitability of their business and reduce the cost of purchasing livestock feed.
The FCTA said the synergy with the agricultural research institute and others was to revitalise the agricultural sector in the FCT.
He said the farmers had been exposed to crop varieties such as soybean, maize, rice and cowpea.
He, however, assured the state government of more support from the institute as it partners with it to deliver on its mandates.
The DG explained that the institute is a research institute that leverages developing technologies to provide excellent yields and quality seeds.
